Principle Secret must deal with fast duo
ARCADIA, Calif. - Grade 2 winner Principle Secret is the most accomplished horse in the $75,000 San Pedro Stakes for 3-year-olds on Sunday at Santa Anita, but he has not raced in nearly four months. Trainer Chris Paasch said, "He'll need a race to get fit."
Idiot Proof and Texas Voyager, meanwhile, are fully cranked for the San Pedro. Nine entered the 6o1/2-furlong race, as the focus changes from the question of how far can they run in the Derby preps on Saturday to how fast can they run on Sunday.
Few are quicker than Idiot Proof and Texas Voyager, who benefits from an outside post (7). Idiot Proof drew post 2. Those two and Principle Secret are the top contenders; other entrants include Try to Fly, Top Emblem, Abalanche, Double Action, Something Sonic, and Street Lights.
Principle Secret won his first two starts, both at Del Mar, including a brilliant three-length win in the Best Pal Stakes, before things unraveled. Principle Secret finished second by a neck in the Norfolk Stakes, was eased in the Breeders' Cup after being kicked, and had a 104-degree temperature the day after finishing eighth in the Hollywood Futurity.
Paasch has not lost faith: "He was a good horse last year, and I think he still is a good horse."
Owned by Charles Cono, Principle Secret is reunited with Alex Solis.
Idiot Proof romped in his debut last June at Hollywood Park, was out until January, and returned with a smashing second in the Sunshine Millions Dash. Hooked through wicked fractions for his first start in eight months, Idiot Proof put away his pace rivals, opened up, and got collared.
Idiot Proof crushed Cal-bred allowance foes March 16 while jockey David Flores sat virtually motionless. Owned and bred by Marty and Pam Wygod, Idiot Proof must use his speed from his inside post.
Texas Voyager races for the first time since a third-place finish in the Sunshine Millions Dash; his workouts indicate that trainer Bob Baffert has him on tilt. He worked in 58.40 seconds in company on March 25, going "toe to toe" with older stakes winner Midnight Lute, according to Baffert.
Texas Voyager can win the San Pedro under Victor Espinoza if he puts away Idiot Proof. The best in-form closer could be Abalanche, runner-up behind Bay Shore entrant Les Grands Trois last out. A win Saturday by Les Grands Trois would flatter Abalanche. Try to Fly won his only start by more than five lengths but is stuck inside.