Soi Phet, 10, set for 2018 debut

ARCADIA, Calif. – There are stark contrasts in the career trajectories of Ferguson and Soi Phet, two of the seven runners in Friday’s seventh race at Santa Anita.

Ferguson, 4, has won his last two starts and may develop into a stakes horse for Gary Broad and trainer Marty Jones. Soi Phet is 10 and has reached that level. Soi Phet has won six stakes and will have his 56th start on Friday in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at 1 1/16 miles.

Soi Phet is entered to be claimed, although there is unlikely to be a strong demand for a veteran who has not raced since winning the E.B. Johnston Stakes for California-bred milers at Los Alamitos last September.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ferguson, by Haynesfield
Last 3 Beyers: 91-87-69

◗ Injuries have limited Ferguson to five races in the last 17 months, but the colt has shown promise by winning his last two starts – a maiden race at Del Mar last August and a first-condition optional claimer at a mile on Jan. 27.

“This is a little tougher race this time,” Jones said. “We’ll see if he can pass the test.”

◗ Ferguson, who will be ridden by Santiago Gonzalez, has raced on the lead in his last two starts, a style unlikely to change.

“I think he’s comfortable there,” Jones said. “I don’t think it’s something he needs to do. We won’t change his strategy.”

◗ Jones said Ferguson has had “a lot of kind of minor issues.”

“It’s nothing major, but things that have cost him some time,” Jones said. “He hasn’t been able to string a bunch of races together. He’s has some good races and hopefully he can keep going.”

Soi Phet, by Tizbud
Last 3 Beyers: 98-93-89

◗ Soi Phet had a five-race campaign in 2017, winning an optional claimer in his first start of the year and the Johnston in his last. Trained by Leonard Powell, Soi Phet was eligible to be claimed for $62,500 in his first start of 2017.

Earlier this month, Soi Phet was nominated for the Tiznow Stakes for California-bred milers, but was not entered. The race was canceled after drawing insufficient entries. Powell said at the time that Soi Phet was not quite ready for his comeback.

◗ Soi Phet will be ridden by regular rider Kent Desormeaux, who is likely to have the gelding just off the pace.

Irish Freedom, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 89-90-100

◗ Irish Freedom is capable of winning with his best effort, but has not been consistent. Trained by Bob Baffert, Irish Freedom was the dazzling winner of an optional claimer at Del Mar last August, but has lost his next four starts, all in stakes, from October to early February.

◗ Irish Freedom was sixth after a wide trip in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 3. The race was won by Accelerate, who won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 10.