Sharp Samurai will await Twilight Derby

CYPRESS, Calif. – Sharp Samurai, the dominant 3-year-old turf runner in California in recent months, will remain in the state this fall and is not expected to start until the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Oct. 28.

Trainer Mark Glatt said he considered running Sharp Samurai in the Grade 3, $500,000 Hill Prince Stakes at Belmont Park on Oct. 7, but that the $200,000 Twilight Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf is a better fit.

“We’ll stay home with him,” Glatt said. “I think we’ll give him plenty of time between races.”

Owned by Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal, Sharp Samurai has won 5 of 8 starts and earned $345,870. Sharp Samurai has won three consecutive stakes, all on turf – the Rainbow Stakes at Santa Anita in June, the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar in August, and the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 3.

Glatt said the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby, a $300,000 race at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 25, is a long-term goal.