Koriner pair to get stamina test in Snow Chief

ARCADIA, Calif. – Roughly a half-mile into Saturday’s $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes at Santa Anita, it should be apparent how Take the One O One and Waya Ed are handling the longest race of their careers.

The Snow Chief Stakes, for 3-year-old California-breds, is run at 1 1/8 miles on turf and will be a stamina test for two horses with similar speedy running styles. The pair are owned by Samantha Siegel and trained by Brian Koriner.

“It’s a matter of distance and how they relax,” Koriner said. “Both have some speed and we hope that doesn’t work against each other.”

The Snow Chief Stakes, part of a 10-race program that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific, drew a field of seven, including the stakes winners Continental Divide and Hardboot.

Continental Divide won the Graduation Stakes for statebred sprinters at Del Mar last August, but is winless in his last six starts. Hardboot won the Silky Sullivan Stakes for Cal-bred 3-year-olds at a mile at Golden Gate Fields on April 29.

KEY CONTENDERS

Take the One O One, by Acclamation
Last 3 Beyers: 92-79-89

◗ Take the One O One was third in the Echo Eddie Stakes for 3-year-old Cal-breds at 6 1/2 furlongs on April 7 and third as the 2-1 favorite in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles against open company on May 11. In his only start on turf, Take the One O One was seventh in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf at a mile last September.

◗ Take the One O One breaks from the rail and is expected to lead under jockey Joe Talamo.

“We think there is more upside to the horse,” Koriner said

Waya Ed, by Tapizar
Last 3 Beyers: 78-67-63

◗ Waya Ed will have his stakes debut in the Snow Chief, his fourth start. Waya Ed led to the final furlong and finished third in an optional claimer for Cal-bred 3-year-olds at a mile on turf on April 15.

“He has the ability,” Koriner said. “I don’t think we have to send him along.”

Hardboot, by Lucky Pulpit
Last 3 Beyers: 77-63-60

◗ Hardboot will benefit if there is a quick pace. He closed from last in a field of 10 with a four-wide rally to win the Silky Sullivan by 1 3/4 lengths. Hardboot gave trainer Michele Dollase her first stakes win in the Silky Sullivan.

“He did it easy,” Dollase said. “He made a huge move. Everything has clicked on his ability. I hope it stays that way.”

Huddle, by Acclamation

Last 3 Beyers: 68-70-49

◗ Huddle won a maiden race at a mile for Cal-breds on turf on April 27, leading throughout.

“He’s an improving horse,” trainer John Sadler said. “He should handle the distance with his pedigree. He has natural speed. He’ll lay pretty close.”