Pee Wee Reese scores big win off layoff in Eddie D Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Pee Wee Reese returned to racing after a layoff of nearly six months to win Friday’s Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes at Santa Anita, a victory that could lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint here on Nov. 2.

Pee Wee Reese, a 6-year-old gelding, must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program at a cost of $100,000, an investment owner and breeder Nick Alexander may consider, trainer Phil D’Amato said. Alexander would have to pay an additional $30,000 in pre-entry and entry fees for the $1 million BC Turf Sprint.

“I think it’s something we’ll have to do,” D’Amato said.

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Ridden by Flavien Prat, Pee Wee Reese ($7) closed from fourth in a field of eight to win the $201,053 Eddie D Stakes at five furlongs on turf by a half-length over Eddie Haskell, the 9-5 favorite. Pee Wee Reese rallied on the rail to take a narrow lead with a furlong remaining.

“He answered a question going five-eighths that he doesn’t need the lead,” D’Amato said. “He likes sitting behind horses. When he made the lead, he picked his ears up and was on his way.”

Pee Wee Reese was timed in 55.33 seconds. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 99.

Boa Nova set a quick pace of 21.41 seconds for the opening quarter-mile before yielding the lead in early stretch. Pee Wee Reese raced on the inside for most of the race.

Eddie Haskell, who broke from the rail, did not have as fortunate of a trip. Eddie Haskell was seventh for the first half of the race and closed well with a wide rally under jockey Joel Rosario. Trainer Mark Glatt said the draw cost Eddie Haskell a win, but that a closing trip was the 6-year-old gelding’s best chance.

“It beat him, flat out,” Glatt said. “We didn’t want to get caught up early in the race in a duel.

“Joel eased him back, but the way it set up we got back farther than we wanted. It was not Joel’s fault.”

Stormy Liberal, the champion turf male of 2018, finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Pee Wee Reese. Double Touch finished fourth, followed by Tribalist, Lombo, Boa Nova, and Mr Vargas.

Pee Wee Reese, a 6-year-old California-bred gelding by Tribal Rule, has won 8 of 15 starts and $532,901. The Eddie D Stakes was his richest win and first start since a win in the Sensational Star Handicap on the hillside turf course here on March 31.

Pee Wee Reese has won four stakes.