Roadster trying a mile in comeback spot

ARCADIA, Calif. – Six months after he finished third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity as the odds-on favorite, Roadster will make his 3-year-old debut in an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option at Santa Anita on Friday.

The one-mile race will have widespread ramifications for how trainer Bob Baffert campaigns the promising colt as the Triple Crown approaches. Roadster is part of a field of six, with his principal rivals stablemate Dessman, who was second in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes on Feb. 10, and Nolo Contesto, an impressive maiden race winner on Jan. 4.

Diamond Blitz, Grab the Munny, and Manhattan Up will be longshots.

KEY CONTENDERS

Roadster, by Quality Road
Beyers: 89-81

◗ Owned by Speedway Stable, Roadster has been well regarded since he won his debut as an odds-on favorite in a maiden special weight race at six furlongs by 4 1/4 lengths at Del Mar on July 29.

◗ In the Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs, Roadster was 7-10. He was second to the final furlong and faded to finish two lengths behind stablemate and winner Game Winner, who later won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and was named the champion 2-year-old male of 2018.

◗ Roadster was diagnosed with a breathing disorder after the Del Mar Futurity, Baffert said.

“He didn’t run his race at Del Mar,” Baffert said. “He wasn’t getting his air. We did a minor surgery.”

◗ Wednesday, Baffert expressed slight concern with Roadster starting at a mile for the first time on Friday.

“It’s a little far,” Baffert said. “I’d like to start out going six and a half or seven furlongs. That would have been preferred. He has a good foundation.”

Dessman, by Union Rags
Beyers: 94-82

◗ Dessman won his debut in a maiden special weight race at six furlongs on Jan. 19 and was beaten a nose by Sparky Ville in the San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs. Dessman led by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining in the San Vicente and finished 6 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Coliseum.

“He got a little keen the other day, trying to outrun that other horse,” Baffert said.

◗ Dessman has raced near the front in both of his starts and is expected to do the same on Friday.

◗ Victor Espinoza, who recently returned from a six-month break caused by injury, rides Dessman for the first time, replacing Flavien Prat.

Nolo Contesto, by Pioneerof the Nile
Beyers: 84-66

◗ Nolo Contesto won his two-turn debut in a maiden special weight race at a mile on Jan. 4, finishing a half-length in front of the well-regarded Omaha Beach, who won his next start.

◗ Nolo Contesto has worked quickly for Friday’s race.

“His last couple of works were super,” trainer John Sadler said. “I feel I’ve got him ready to go. The spacing it good.”

◗ Sadler expects Nolo Contesto to stalk Dessman and Roadster.

“It’s a good, tough race and this is a good test for him,” Sadler said on Wednesday. “I wish it was tomorrow.”