Johnson takes a shot with Mackinnon in Sham
Erik Johnson has his eyes on the prizes these days.
His regular job as defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche finds him pursuing a Stanley Cup. His other job, fully invested horse owner, could have him headed down the Kentucky Derby trail if Mackinnon, named for a teammate, center Nathan MacKinnon, can transfer his sharp turf form to dirt Saturday at Santa Anita in the Grade 3, $100,000 Sham Stakes.
The one-mile Sham, for 3-year-olds, offers 17 points overall and 10 to the winner toward a berth in the May 7 Derby. It is race 7 of 10.
Johnson – whose ERJ Racing owns Mackinnon as part of a partnership – has been eagerly awaiting both this race and getting back to action on the ice, as the Avalanche play Sunday for the first time since Dec. 16.
Saturday practice ends in time to get home and watch the race, Johnson said. His teammates are all in.
“Nate is really into it now,” Johnson said in a telephone interview earlier this week, referring to MacKinnon. “We’ve had hoodies and hats made that the guys wear. They’re all into it.”
Mackinnon most recently was a late-running third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. It was his fifth straight grass start following a debut going 4 1/2 furlongs – far short of optimum – on dirt in May. He had won three straight, including two stakes, prior to the Breeders’ Cup. The Sham will determine his path in coming months.
“Hopefully he can take his talents going long on turf to long on dirt,” Johnson said. “We’ll find out right away and map out a plan from there.”
Mackinnon has trained on dirt as though he can handle the switch. His final work at Del Mar prior to the Breeders’ Cup was spectacular. He had two bullet works among four December drills at Santa Anita.
Mackinnon, trained by Doug O’Neill, starts from the rail under regular rider Juan Hernandez.
“All his works have been pretty impressive on dirt,” Johnson said. “Juan knows him pretty well. All indications are he’ll take to the dirt. Fingers crossed.”
Trainer Bob Baffert, who has a deep roster in this division, doubles up with Newgrange and Rockefeller, who figure to be one-two early.
Newgrange, drawn inside his stablemate, won sprinting in his lone start, which came five weeks ago at Del Mar, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 80.
Rockefeller stretches out anew to two turns after winning the Grade 3 Nashua, a one-turn mile at Belmont Park, with a Beyer of 83. He was fourth in his lone two-turn try, the Grade 1 American Pharoah won by stablemate Corniche, who subsequently won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Neither Newgrange nor Rockefeller is eligible for points in the Sham, owing to Churchill Downs having barred Baffert from the Derby.
Oviatt Class, third in the American Pharoah, dead-heated for fifth in the BC Juvenile. He has no early speed and will be rallying from well back.
Degree of Risk, second last time out in the Gold Rush at Golden Gate Fields, tries dirt for the first time after six starts on turf or all-weather.