Sir Oscar, French Village try to sweep

MIAMI - History will be made the moment Sir Oscar and French Village step into the starting gate for Saturday's $400,000 In Reality and $400,000 My Dear Girl Stakes, respectively. The two undefeated 2-year-olds are the first two horses to attempt to sweep divisions of the Stallion Stakes on the same day, and they can add their names to a list of only five other juveniles who have swept their division in the 22-year history of the series.

The 1 1/16-mile In Reality for colts and geldings, and its filly counterpart, the My Dear Girl Stakes for fillies, highlight the $1.5 million Festival of the Sun, Calder Race Course's cornerstone event, a 13-race program that includes eight stakes.

The card also features a special pick four wager encompassing the In Reality and My Dear Girl along with the $200,000 Calder Derby and $200,000 Calder Oaks.

Sir Oscar enters the In Reality perfect in four starts. After winning his career debut by nearly nine lengths, the homebred son of Halo's Image outgamed Charming Jim to win the Criterium Stakes. He then dominated the first two legs of the Stallion Stakes with victories in the six-furlong Dr. Fager and seven-furlong Affirmed.

Sir Oscar will have several obstacles to overcome to complete the sweep. He has yet to run beyond seven furlongs. He has not started since the Affirmed on Aug. 30. And he drew the outside post in a race that has a short run to the first turn.

Regular rider Julio Garcia will have the mount for trainer Manny Azpurua.

Sir Oscar is the only horse owned by his breeder, Oscar Novo. In contrast, perhaps the toughest horse he has beat to complete his sweep, All True, hails from the vast stable of Buckram Oak Farm, which also owns Grade 1 Hopeful winner Silver Wagon and the Breeders' Futurity winner Eurosilver.

All True won his debut for a $40,000 claiming tag. He finished eighth after being forced to steady sharply approaching the quarter pole of the Dr. Fager. In the Affirmed, he turned in an impressive stretch run to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths behind Sir Oscar. Trainer Ralph Ziadie has secured Jerry Bailey to ride.

Kentucky invader Perpetual Peace figures to set the pace breaking from the rail.

Also in the field are Moon Warrior, Kipper's Night, Tap Dancer, Sea Clip, Zakocity, and Baronage.