Speaking Scout, winner of Hollywood Derby, will be based at Santa Anita

DEL MAR, Calif. - Speaking Scout, the winner of Saturday’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar, will be based at Santa Anita in coming weeks and could make his next start at that track’s winter-spring meeting, which begins on Dec. 26.

Considering the way Speaking Scout has been campaigned this year, any venue with a turf course could be on the gelding’s agenda.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Graham Motion, Speaking Scout has started at nine tracks in as many starts this year. The $402,500 Hollywood Derby is his richest and most prestigious win in a career that includes four wins in 14 starts and earnings of $500,668.

“We can travel,” said Aron Wellman, the president of the Eclipse partnership. “He seems to have thrived on it and it’s a testament to Graham and his team.”

:: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now!

Speaking Scout has been at his best in recent months, winning the Hawthorne Derby at Hawthorne Racecourse near Chicago on Oct. 1 and finishing second in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Oct. 29 before Saturday’s win.

In the Hollywood Derby, Speaking Scout (8-1) closed from ninth in a field of 10 to take the lead in the final strides, catching stretch leader Spycatcher (33-1).

Speaking Scout has been based with Motion in Maryland for most of the year, but has been based in Southern California since late October.

“His last three races have been a progression,” Motion said Sunday. “I think he was impressive at Hawthorne, but it was suspect what he beat.

“I thought he was a little unlucky at Santa Anita. I thought he couldn’t have been more impressive yesterday. He’s changed since he got here. He’s filled out and grown up.”

This year, Speaking Scout has raced at Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Delaware Park, Laurel, Kentucky Downs, Hawthorne, Santa Anita and Del Mar.

“He’s had a pretty hearty campaign,” Wellman said. “He’s been good to us. He’s also really improving and he’s shown he’s capable of competing in Grade 2 and Grade 1 races.

“He’s a gelding, so longevity is the key.”

Wellman said no race plans have been determined for Speaking Scout.

There is one race remaining for 3-year-olds on turf in Southern California – the Grade 2 Mathis Mile on Dec. 26.

Otherwise, Speaking Scout could have his debut against older horses in a race such as the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf on Feb. 5, although the Eclipse partnerships also have The Grey Wizard and Avenue as candidates for that race, Wellman said.

The Grey Wizard, who is eligible for a first-condition allowance race, and Avenue were second and third in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup on Nov. 25.

Motion plans to have a 12-horse stable at Santa Anita over the winter, and will be active in stakes in the opening days of the meeting.

Sparkle Blue, the winner of the Grade 3 Valley View Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 28, is scheduled to start in the Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles on turf for 3-year-old fillies on Dec. 26.

On Dec. 30, Nagirroc, third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 4, is booked to run in the $100,000 Eddie Logan Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf, while G Laurie, third in the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine in September, is a candidate for the $100,000 Blue Norther Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on turf the same day.

G Laurie was scratched from the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf because of illness.

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