Schrodinger needs to step up in Best Pal

DEL MAR, Calif. – Two of the top juvenile colts in California run Saturday at opposite ends of the Del Mar card – highly regarded first-time starter Garth in a maiden sprint that is race 1, and debut winner Schrodinger in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes, race 8.

Garth already is one of the season’s most talked-about 2-year-olds, even though Saturday is his first start. Bob Baffert trains the Godolphin-owned and -bred son of Into Mischief and Grade 1 winner Country Star. Despite having drawn the rail, Garth is favored over well-meant first-timers Veteran and Convex.

Schrodinger, similarly hyped into his odds-on debut, will need to improve his 69 Beyer to win the Best Pal and defeat solid debut winner Wrecking Crew, 2-for-2 stakes winner Fore Left, and four other entrants.

Trainer Simon Callaghan is confident Schrodinger will move up from his Los Alamitos maiden win. “For a first time out, it was a good race without blowing anyone away,” he said. “He got the job done, and looked like he had some more.”

The margin was only a length and one-quarter, but jockey Flavien Prat did not ask Schrodinger for an all-out effort. Since relocating to Del Mar, Schrodinger has picked up his game in the morning, including a pair of five-furlong bullet works.

“He’s definitely improved, and he looks to be getting over the Del Mar track really well,” Callaghan said. “He’s got that long, really efficient stride. Some of his works, visually, it doesn’t look like he’s going that quick.”

Schrodinger, a son of Justin Phillip purchased for $550,000 by Kaleem Shah at this year’s March OBS sale, stretches out in distance. “Moving from five-eighths first time out to six furlongs is going to be a big help,” Callaghan said.

Schrodinger is the 2-1 favorite in the Best Pal.

Wrecking Crew already has won at six furlongs, more impressively than his 68 Beyer or length and three-quarters margin suggest. He broke slowly, raced greenly while climbing behind the kickback, leveled off in the lane, and won with something left. He drew the rail for his second start on Saturday.

“It’s not ideal,” trainer Peter Miller said regarding post. “This is a stepping-stone and we can get some experience and fitness. If he wins, great. If not, it will set him up for the next one.” The Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity is closing day, Sept. 2.

Mike Smith takes over on Wrecking Crew, a son of first-crop sire Sky Kingdom purchased for $875,000 at this year’s Fasig-Tipton March sale.

Fore Left won the Tremont Stakes on June 7 at Belmont Park, defeating an unheralded field by more than four lengths. Doug O’Neill trains Fore Left, the field’s only two-time winner. O’Neill also trains Raging Whiskey, third in the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga last out.

Collusion Illusion makes the second start of his career after kicking in late to win his debut at five furlongs. We’re Still Here finished second against maidens in both starts. Thanks Mr. Eidson won a $150,000 maiden-claiming race by more than nine lengths.

–additional reportingby Steve Andersen