Stilleto Boy on schedule for San Antonio Stakes

Multiple stakes winner Stilleto Boy is on target for the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita after a recent rest.

Trainer Ed Moger Jr. said Stilleto Boy was given a seven-week vacation at a farm after finishing last of six behind the now-retired superstar Flightline in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Sept. 3 at Del Mar.

“He was just tired, that’s all,” Moger said.

Stilleto Boy has worked twice in recent weeks at Golden Gate Fields, going a half-mile in 37.60 seconds on Saturday in his most recent work.

“He’s got good weight and looks like a million bucks,” Moger said.

The $300,000 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles is part of the opening-day program of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting.

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A 4-year-old gelding owned by Moger’s brother, Steve, Stilleto Boy has won 3 of 18 starts and earned $1,091,675. By Shackleford, Stilleto Boy was purchased for $420,000 at a horses in training sale in Kentucky in July 2021.

This year, Stilleto Boy’s lone win in six starts came in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita in April. Stilleto Boy was third in two Grade 1 races earlier in the year – the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in January and the Santa Anita Handicap in March.

Jockey agent changes

Jockeys Abel Cedillo and Edwin Maldonado have switched agents, employing well-known representatives who previously worked for the other rider.
Cedillo will be represented by Tony Matos, who booked mounts on behalf of Maldonado. Tom Knust, Cedillo’s previous agent, will now book mounts for Maldonado.

Matos will continue to work with Umberto Rispoli, while Knust will continue to represent Hall of Fame rider Victor Espinoza, the agents said. Matos and Knust said the changes were made in recent days.

Through Wednesday, Maldonado was fourth in the standings at the Del Mar autumn meeting with five wins, while Cedillo was tied for eighth with two wins. Juan Hernandez leads the standings with 12 wins.

At the Santa Anita autumn meeting that ended Nov. 6, Maldonado finished fourth with 17 wins, while Cedillo tied for seventh with eight wins. Ramon Vazquez won the title with 25 wins.

– additional reporting by Brad Free

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