McKale stands out in allowance sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. – At a time of year when racing’s focus is on the build-up to the Kentucky Derby on May 5, some members of the 3-year-old division are building reputations as sprinters.

Sunday at Santa Anita, the second of nine races is an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs designed as a prep for the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at seven furlongs on May 12.

The race includes recent maiden winners Graycaster, McKale, and Ride to the Wire against Master Ruler, who has not started since finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity last September, and Zulfikhar, who was fourth in an optional claimer at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 19.

McKale should be a strong favorite in his second start, having won a maiden race at six furlongs by 2 1/4 lengths on March 10.

KEY CONTENDERS

Graycaster, by Graydar
Last 3 Beyers: 82-73-67

◗ Graycaster won his 3-year-old debut in a maiden race restricted to horses bought for $100,000 or less at public auction on Feb. 25. Owned by a partnership that includes trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Richard Robertson, and CTR Stables, Graycaster was purchased for $85,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida 2-year-olds in-training sale.

◗ Graycaster has drawn the outside post for Sunday’s race, which should give jockey Flavien Prat the flexibility to dispute the pace or stalk a quick runner such as McKale.

“We’re happy with the post we drew,” Hollendorfer said.

◗ Hollendorfer hopes to run Graycaster in the $100,000 Barrera Stakes.

“We want to keep him short,” he said.

McKale, by Congrats
Beyer: 88

◗ There was little to fault regarding McKale’s debut on March 10. He led throughout as the 3-5 favorite, fighting through a speed duel before taking a clear lead in early stretch.

“He’s fast,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “We thought he’d do well in his first race. He’s a sprinter.”

Zulfikhar, by Bodemeister
Beyers: 76-82

◗ A $750,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Florida 2-year-olds in-training sale last year, Zulfikhar won his debut at Los Alamitos last July, but did not race again until Feb. 19, when he finished a well-beaten fourth as the 3-2 favorite at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park.

“This race is a stepping-stone,” Baffert said.

◗ Baffert said McKale and Zulfikhar are candidates for the Barrera.

Master Ruler, by Overdriven
Beyers: 30-56-N/A

◗ Master Ruler had an unproductive Del Mar meeting last summer, finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes and eighth behind Kentucky Derby hopeful Bolt d’Oro in the Del Mar Futurity. Trainer John Sadler said Master Ruler emerged from the Del Mar Futurity with a “little problem with his hind end.”

◗ Master Ruler is the only two-time winner in Sunday’s race, having won two allowance races in Puerto Rico last April and June.

Ride to the Wire, by Archarcharch

Beyer: 58

◗ Has not raced since winning a maiden event at Los Alamitos last July. He has had quick workouts for his return, including five furlongs in 59.80 seconds on April 4.