Santa Anita: Slim Shadey will go longer in San Luis Rey Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Slim Shadey won the first stakes of his career in the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes over 1 1/4 miles on turf last Saturday. The 4-year-old gelding will try for another milestone in the $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes on March 18 – his first win over 1 1/2 miles in his initial attempt at the distance.

Trained by Simon Callaghan, Slim Shadey raced primarily over a mile last year, finishing fourth in the English 2000 Guineas behind the unbeaten Frankel. The San Marcos was the gelding’s third start in the United States.

In the San Marcos, Slim Shadey was dismissed at 11-1 and essentially stole the race under jockey David Flores, setting a slow pace and holding a late threat from Utopian to win by a head. Sanagas, winner of the Hollywood Turf Cup in November, faded to finish last in the field of six as the 4-5 favorite.

Callaghan said Tuesday that he has little reservation about trying Slim Shadey over a longer trip.

“The horse is very versatile,” he said. “He’ll rate very easy, and it gives him every chance to get the added distance. He’s come out of the race great and really sound.”

Owned by Phil Cunningham, Slim Shadey has won 3 of 16 starts and $212,038.

The Callaghan-trained Up In Time will start in Monday’s $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap for fillies and mares over a mile on turf. Up In Time won two stakes for 3-year-old fillies over a mile last year – the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap and Grade 2 Harold Ramser Stakes – but was fifth in the Monrovia Stakes for female turf sprinters Jan. 2.

The Buena Vista field is led by Cambina, a four-time stakes winner who was eighth in the BC Filly and Mare Turf in November.