Run Away passes stakes test in Santa Anita Juvenile

ARCADIA, Calif.-Run Away seems to enjoy a tussle in his races.

After winning his debut on May 26 after a speed duel, Run Away won his stakes debut in Saturday’s $100,345 Santa Anita Juvenile, but not without facing a severe test from Argosy Fleet.

Run Away and Argosy Fleet dueled through fractions of 21.78 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 45.16 for a half-mile before Run Away drew away to win the race at 5 1-2 furlongs by 1 1-2 lengths.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Run Away ($3.60) was timed in 1:04.17.

“I got a little concerned up the stretch,” said winning trainer Simon Callaghan. “He was slow away. He had to be rushed up.”

Run Away and Argosy Fleet were within a head through the duel. Argosy Fleet, a 5-1 shot, held second, finishing 1 1-4 lengths in front of 10-1 Big Boy Candy. Encumbered was fourth, followed by Sir Valentine and Cono.

Run Away, by Run Away and Hide, was purchased for $325,000 at the Barretts March Sale of Select 2-year-olds in-training at Del Mar. He won a maiden race at 4 1-2 furlongs by 2 1-4 lengths on May 26.

After that race, Run Away was sent to Kentucky to work on turf at Keeneland while Callaghan and owner Kaleem Shah considered sending the colt to England for a race at Royal Ascot in mid-June. Callaghan was not overly impressed with the turf workout, leading to Run Away’s return to California for the Santa Anita Juvenile.

Callaghan began training for Shah earlier this year. Shah is best known for winning the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic with Bayern.

“It’s good to get the first (stakes) win for Kaleem,” Callaghan said. “He seems a good-minded kind of colt. I think he will keep progressing.”

Callaghan said two races at the Del Mar summer meeting will be considered for Run Away – the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at 6 1-2 furlongs on Aug. 12 and the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 4.