Rice to keep Sand Devil with statebreds for Damon Runyon

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Sand Devil, the impressive 3-year-old New York-bred who has won both of his starts, could stay with statebreds for his next start in the $125,000 Damon Runyon Stakes on Feb. 8, trainer Linda Rice said. Rice had previously mentioned the $250,000 Withers Stakes going 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 1 as potential next target for the colt.

“I’m leaning Damon Runyon-Gotham,” Rice said, referring to the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham run at one mile on March 1.

Rice said the fact the Gotham offers its winner 50 qualifying points – and a virtual guaranteed spot in the gate for the Kentucky Derby – as the reason she wants to run Sand Devil in that race. Sand Devil, owned by Chester Broman, could then stretch out around two turns in the Wood Memorial at 1 1/8 miles on April 5.

Sand Devil, a son of Violence, won a six-furlong maiden race by four lengths on Dec. 8. He followed that up by winning a first-level allowance going one mile by 12 1/4 lengths, earning a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

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