Rijeka, Flying Scotsman get chance to shine in Cecil B. DeMille Stakes

Any hope Rijeka would start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs earlier this month ended when the colt finished a troubled third in the Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 8.

Rijeka did not have the credentials to merit a pre-entry in a race that eventually oversubscribed.

Instead, Rijeka remained in Southern California and will have his graded stakes debut in Sunday’s Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf at Del Mar. His principal rival in the $100,000 DeMille Stakes is the equally well-regarded Flying Scotsman. A maiden race winner at Santa Anita on Sept. 29, Flying Scotsman was pre-entered for the Juvenile Turf, but was not selected to start.

Rijeka, trained by Richard Baltas, and Flying Scotsman, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, are part of a field of six that includes Takeo Squared, who was fourth in the Zuma Beach, and the maiden race winners Irish Heatwave and Vantastic, who may set the pace.

The DeMille will be the turf stakes debut and first start in California for Sayin Grace, who was fifth in the Arlington-Washington Futurity at Arlington Park on Sept. 8. Trained by Eoin Harty, Sayin Grace won a maiden special weight race on turf at Arlington Park in August.

:: Want to get the latest news with your past performances? Try DRF’s new digital PPs

KEY CONTENDERS

Rijeka, by Roderic O’Conner
Last 3 Beyers: 73-51-60

◗ Owned by Slam Dunk Racing and Michael Nentwig, Rijeka made his first start in Ireland, then won a maiden special weight race at a mile on turf in his American debut in August at Del Mar. In the one-mile Zuma Beach, Rijeka was always within three lengths of the lead and bumped the rail and was steadied heading into the second turn.

“I think he was a little too close,” Baltas said. “I was a little disappointed. I think he wants to make one run.”

◗ Baltas said he was encouraged by Rijeka’s half-mile workout on turf in 48.80 seconds at Del Mar on Nov. 18.

“I liked his last work on the grass,” Baltas said. “He doesn’t train so good, and work so good, on the dirt.”

◗ Kent Desormeaux will ride Rijeka for the first time on Sunday, replacing Geovanni Franco, who does not have a mount.

Flying Scotsman, by English Channel
Beyers: 78-54

◗ The DeMille will be the stakes debut for Flying Scotsman, who prevailed by a nose on Sept. 29. Through October, Hollendorfer monitored developments in the Juvenile Turf, hoping an opportunity would arise for Flying Scotsman. Through that time, Flying Scotsman showed progress in training, he said.

“We thought if we got a chance in the Breeders’ Cup that we’d take that chance,” Hollendorfer said. “He’s training forwardly. He’s learning a lot and we’re hoping to have a good effort.”

◗ Flavien Prat will ride Flying Scotsman, who is likely to race as a stalker behind Vantastic.