Packs a Wahlop leads Mullins trio in Zuma Beach

Packs a Wahlop was not only the best colt in the Grade 3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf on Sept. 11, he was the most fortunate.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Packs a Wahlop took the lead on the far turn and scooted clear to win by 4 1/4 lengths, avoiding the trouble that plagued several rivals in the stretch.

The comfortable win makes Packs a Wahlop the favorite in Sunday’s Grade 3 Zuma Beach Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf at Santa Anita. Packs a Wahlop could lead a sweep of the trifecta by runners trained by Jeff Mullins.

That happened in the one-mile Del Mar Juvenile Turf when Valiancer and Dandy Man Shines were promoted to second and third after Don’tthinkjustdoit was disqualified from second to seventh.

“They’re all going to have to outrun Packs a Wahlop, that’s for sure,” Mullins said. “He’s a very talented horse. He does everything very easily.”

Dandy Man Shines and Packs a Wahlop are owned by Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal. Packs a Wahlop is unbeaten in two starts on turf.

“He’s got a heckuva stride,” said Tim Cohen of Rancho Temescal.

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Cohen thinks Dandy Man Shines could have been second in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf with a better trip through the stretch. The Irish-bred colt is a maiden after three starts, and had his American debut in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf.

“With the benefit of some time in the states, I think he can improve off that race,” he said.

Valiancer was 38-1 in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf, beaten a length for second despite the trouble.

Packs a Wahlop is one of two stakes winners in the $200,000 Zuma Beach along with Giver Not a Taker, who won the I’m Smokin Stakes for statebred 2-year-olds at six furlongs at Del Mar on Sept. 9. Giver Not a Taker will have his turf debut in the Zuma Beach.

“I think it’s a reasonable spot to take a chance,” trainer Peter Miller said.

The Zuma Beach will be the second start of the Santa Anita autumn meeting for Ah Jeez, who was third in the Speakeasy Stakes at five furlongs on turf Oct. 2.

The September maiden race winners Gas Me Up, Malibu Coast, and Suburban Prince will have their first start in a stakes in the Zuma Beach.

The Zuma Beach will be the American stakes debut of For A Laugh, who was fourth in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at seven furlongs at Newmarket, England, in July, and won a maiden special weight race at a mile on turf at 4-5 at Del Mar on Aug. 21.

“This has always been our target,” Callaghan said. “I think he’s going to be extremely competitive.”

For A Laugh, who breaks from post 10, closed from sixth of 10 to win by a length on Aug. 21.

“I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t in the top three,” Callaghan said. “We’ve got to get a trip. We like this horse. We had stakes aspirations when we bought him.”

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