Scipio needs clean trip to score first career win in DeMille Stakes

Scipio may be the only maiden in Sunday’s Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf at Del Mar, but he is also the runner who commands attention.

Considering the close finishes Scipio had in his first two starts, and a troubled trip when fourth in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1, Scipio clearly rates at the fore of a field of nine in the $100,000 DeMille Stakes.

There is no lack of confidence from trainer Richard Baltas.

“I was going to run in a maiden race, but I don’t think this is that tough,” Baltas said.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Scipio, a colt by Caravaggio who races for Calvin Ngyuen and Joey Tran, drew post 4 in the DeMille and will be ridden by Flavien Prat, who was aboard in the TAA Stakes.

Scipio was beaten two lengths by Chasing Liberty on Nov. 1 despite racing in traffic on the first turn, the backstretch, and again as the field approached the stretch. He closed from last of 14 in the final quarter-mile to be closest to the front at the finish.

“I thought he was unlucky,” Baltas said. “He got behind a slow pace. He didn’t have anywhere to go. It’s happened a couple of times when he’s ran. He’s had troubled trips.”

Scipio was pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1, but was not selected to start. Scipio was third in his first two starts, including a loss by three-quarters of a length in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf at a mile on Sept. 8.

Prat rode Scipio for the first time in the TAA Stakes.

“Hopefully, Flavien has him closer this time and he has a better trip,” Baltas said.

The field of the DeMille has one stakes winner in Pali Kitten, who won the Speakeasy Stakes at five furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 5, but was 11th of 12 in the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint on Nov. 1.

The DeMille Stakes will be Pali Kitten’s first start at a mile. Pali Kitten drew the outside post and is likely to have a forward position in the opening furlongs. He could face an early challenge from Clock Tower, who was third in the Grade 2 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 6. Clock Tower, trained by Wesley Ward, has set the pace in each of his four starts.

The only runner in the field with a win over the course at a mile is Game Warrior, who scored a 31-1 upset in a maiden race on Oct. 31 in his fifth career start. Trained by Peter Miller, Game Warrior closed from fourth to reach the front in the final sixteenth.

Miller also runs Kale’s Angel, who closed from seventh of eight to finish fourth in the Grade 3 Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita in October but was 11th in the TAA Stakes after disputing the early pace.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.