Masochistic makes Grade 1 debut in Triple Bend
ARCADIA, Calif. – Masochistic already was a four-time winner when he won his debut for trainer Ron Ellis in the Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita on April 11. Ellis thinks Masochistic will be even better for his Grade 1 debut in Saturday’s $300,000 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs.
“I think he’s going into this race a little stronger,” Ellis said. “He’s got more energy. He’s doing everything easier. You can tell with his works.”
On June 19, Masochistic worked six furlongs from the gate in 1:10.80. He worked six furlongs in 1:12 on June 11. His race record and those workouts will make Masochistic a heavy favorite in the Triple Bend, which drew a field of seven.
Key contenders
Masochistic (Last 3 Beyers: 102-99-80)
* Masochistic was plagued by foot problems at the end of 2014 when trained by A.C. Avila. Masochistic won his 2015 debut in an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs Feb. 28, his final start for Avila. Masochistic joined Ellis’s stable in March, when Avila began a 60-day suspension for a medication violation involving Masochistic in March 2014. The gelding was found to have an excessive level of a tranquilizer in post-race tests.
* Masochistic won the first stakes of his career in the Kona Gold at 6 1/2 furlongs. He dueled with San Onofre through the first half-mile before taking the lead in early stretch. Masochistic won by three-quarters of a length over San Onofre, who starts in the Triple Bend.
* If a speed duel develops in the Triple Bend, Ellis said Masochistic will be ready.
“The last time was his acid test,” he said. “He dueled with San Onofre and put him away. He can withstand a dogfight.”
San Onofre (Last 3 Beyers: 98-100-84)
* After finishing second in the Kona Gold, San Onofre was second to Distinctiv Passion in the Grade 3 Los Angeles Stakes at six furlongs May 25. He trailed Distinctiv Passion by three lengths at the quarter pole and was beaten a neck.
* Trained by Karen Headley, San Onofre has yet to win a stakes but has been second in three such races this year, beginning with the California Cup Sprint at six furlongs in January.
Sahara Sky (Last 3 Beyers: 100-82-85)
* The winner of the 2013 Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park, Sahara Sky has one victory in six starts in the last two years. He was third, beaten a length, in the Kona Gold most recently.
* Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who also starts the multiple stakes winner Wild Dude, said Sahara Sky will be a threat from off the pace, especially if a speed duel develops. Sahara Sky has won 8 of 22 starts in his career and 5 of 10 starts at Santa Anita.
“He likes this track,” Hollendorfer said. “We’re hoping he can close a little faster.”
Appealing Tale (Last 3 Beyers: 101-96-82)
* Appealing Tale won an optional claimer at a mile May 31, ending an eight-race losing streak. The 5-year-old has run in one stakes sprint, finishing third in the Midnight Lute Stakes here last December.