Schrodinger headed to Best Pal off debut win

CYPRESS, Calif.– High expectations were met when the 2-year-old colt Schrodinger won his career debut in a maiden special weight race at five furlongs at Los Alamitos on Sunday.

For owner Kaleem Shah and trainer Simon Callaghan, this was progress compared to a similar situation last year when their highly regarded filly Bellafina finished second in her debut at 1-2. Bellafina has since won six stakes and earned $1,102,125.

Schrodinger ($2.80) won by 1 1/4 lengths in 57.21 seconds, tracking pacesetter Preacher to early stretch before taking the lead under jockey Flavien Prat. The debut win will lead to a start in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 10.

There was a moment of urgency in the stretch when 3-1 Verified, third in his debut at Santa Anita on June 2, got within a length of Schrodinger.

“He was looking around,” Prat said. “I don’t think he’s been here before.

“As soon as I asked him to finish, he did. He reacted well. That’s not his game, going five-eighths. That’s not going to be his best.”

Schrodinger was purchased for $550,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in training in March by Shah. By Justin Phillip, Schrodinger is a sizeable colt who should thrive with longer distances.

“For such a big horse, I was worried,” he said.

Callaghan described the $200,000 Best Pal Stakes at six furlongs as a “logical move.”

“He’ll be better going forward,” he said.