Manhattan Dan should like firm turf in DeMille
Manhattan Dan and Dressed in Hermes were first and second with a furlong remaining in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland on Oct. 30. It was the closest they came to glory.
Both faded in deep stretch, with Dressed in Hermes fifth and Manhattan Dan seventh in a field of 14. Trainers Janet Armstrong and Gary Contessa said a yielding turf course did not help their runners.
That will not be an issue when those 2-year-olds return to action Sunday in the $100,000 Cecil B. DeMille Stake at a mile on turf at Del Mar. The turf course is expected to be firm, and the pace may be hot. Manhattan Dan, who drew the rail, is expected to lead but could be challenged by the recent maiden-race winners Collected and Frank Conversation.
“The bottom line is we are the speed horse,” said Contessa. “We’re established. If they want to go with us, they’ll compromise their chances. We have to go. I’m hoping they’re sensible enough to take back.”
The Grade 3 DeMille drew a field of 13. Dressed in Hermes is the only stakes winner in the field, having won the Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita in October. Manhattan Dan was third in Grade 2 stakes at Woodbine and Belmont in September and October. Hot Ore was second in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf in September.
Key contenders
Manhattan Dan (Last 3 Beyers: 72-76-75)
* Owned by the Platinum Seven partnership and Dan Guarino, Manhattan Dan is the most experienced runner in the field with six starts. He won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Saratoga in August and was third in both the Summer Stakes at a mile on turf at Woodbine and the Grade 2 Futurity on dirt at Belmont prior to the BC Juvenile Turf.
* Manhattan Dan was a 45-1 shot in the BC Juvenile Turf. He finished 7 1/4 lengths behind the winner, Hit It a Bomb.
“When we ran him a mile, the turf was soft,” said Contessa. “It’s hard to carry your speed. At the eighth pole, he had a big shot. We sent him to Del Mar hoping we’ll get a hard turf course. We want to find out if he’s a miler.”
Dressed in Hermes (Last 3 Beyers: 78-74-74)
* Dressed in Hermes won the Zuma Beach as a maiden in his third start. In the BC Juvenile Turf, he was beaten 4 1/4 lengths after breaking from the rail.
“I thought he ran a great race,” said Armstrong. “Unfortunately, he drew the inside. and it was a little heavy.”
* Mike Smith will ride Dressed in Hermes for the first time in the DeMille, replacing Gary Stevens, who has the mount on the maiden-race winner Canada. Armstrong, who has five horses at San Luis Rey Downs for owner Syd Belzberg, said she is hopeful Smith can give Dressed in Hermes a patient ride behind a potential speed duel.
“I would think he’s more of a push-button horse,” she said. “I think he needs to go out there and relax.”