Red-hot Sadler has two under consideration for San Diego

ARCADIA, Calif. – The hottest stable at Santa Anita the past three weeks will enter summer with momentum. Trainer John Sadler has won with 13 of his last 22 starters, and even the ones that fell short are likely to improve when the circuit moves to Del Mar next month.

Those include The Goat, a Group 1 winner in Chile aiming for the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on July 18, and Full Serrano, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner also under consideration for the San Diego.

The Goat finished fourth in his U.S. debut in the Grade 3, seven-furlong Triple Bend, in which he surprisingly set the pace the first few strides. He subsequently chased from third position, and finished fourth by five lengths.

“I didn’t like the trip,” Sadler said. “It was a very fast race, and [winner] Stronghold ran a high-level race. It was a very fast race in [1:21.36], so [The Goat] will go on to the San Diego.”

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Sadler might have two starters in the San Diego. Full Serrano has not worked since April 19 following a troubled fourth-place finish March 28 in the Oaklawn Mile. He stumbled badly, and probably would have won with a clean start. Full Serrano is scheduled to resume workouts this week at Santa Anita.

Can he make the San Diego? “He might, he’ll work right along the next six weeks, so it’s not impossible,” Sadler said. Full Serrano won the BC Dirt Mile in 2024 at Del Mar. He finished second that summer in the Pacific Classic.

Sadler-trained Mohaven is an early favorite for the $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar on July 24 after her Melair Stakes romp on May 23 at Santa Anita. Early Encore is an early favorite for the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-olds on Aug. 7 at Del Mar. Early Encore won his debut by 6 3/4 lengths on May 24, blazing 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.76 seconds.

An expensive, unraced 2-year-old with an outstanding pedigree is expected to commence his workouts for Sadler this week at Santa Anita. Sadler told Santa Anita publicity the colt has been named Inshallah. He is sired by the undefeated 2022 Horse of the year Flightline, who Sadler trained, and produced by 2017 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Bar of Gold.

Inshallah was purchased at a 2-year-old sale for $2.1 million by Saudi-based KAS Stable.

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