Synchrony, Big Score look to rebound in Seabiscuit

The Seabiscuit Handicap is a do-over for Synchrony and Big Score, and conditions look favorable for them Saturday at Del Mar. Synchrony wants firm turf. Big Score wants a chance at a better trip.

Done and done.

Synchrony and Big Score both misfired at Keeneland last out, with excuses. Synchrony did not like the wet course. Big Score was sabotaged by a wide trip from a wide post. Perhaps neither was good enough to win the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile anyway, but circumstances sealed their fate.

Notwithstanding his seventh-place finish on “good” turf in the Shadwell, Synchrony is the one to beat in the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile Seabiscuit. Thankfully for him, the turf should be firm. As for Big Score, fifth in the Shadwell, he drew well. From post 2, he has no prerace excuses.

Though 12 entered the Seabiscuit, Synchrony might be a standout. His career surged after trainer Mike Stidham moved him to turf. He won five of his first nine on turf, including four graded stakes, and finished in the money every time. But last out, at 10-1 in the Shadwell, he fizzled.

“He never put in any kind of run, which was not characteristic,” Stidham said this week. “He’s always one that puts in a really good run. He was just flat. I’ve got to assume the soft turf was what slowed him down.”

Stidham probably is right because none of the Shadwell horses who “figured” fired. Synchrony came out of the race in good condition, and Stidham looked for a better spot to end the season.

“We figured the place to look would be [California], where most likely you’ll have firm turf,” he said.

Synchrony arrived last Saturday in California. A short-lived rainstorm blew through Southern California midweek, but the Del Mar turf is likely to be firm on Saturday.

Big Score is based in California and, to the delight of trainer Tim Yakteen, finally drew well. “His races this year have been good races, we’ve just been in a position where we’ve taken ourselves out of the race, more often than not because of the post draw,” Yakteen said.

Yakteen believes Big Score has more speed than he showed in recent starts and is hopeful new rider Giovanni Franco can coax the horse to be more forwardly placed.

The others in the Seabiscuit field are Caribou Club, Ann Arbor Eddie, Pincheck, Holiday Stone, Madame Stripes, potential pacesetter Kenjisstorm, Le Ken, Ohio, Secretary At War, and He Will.

KEY CONTENDERS

Synchrony, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 94-96-96

◗ After the Seabiscuit, Synchrony will be freshened and aim to the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Handicap in February and Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Handicap in March. He won both Fair Grounds races last year.

◗ Synchrony is reunited with Joe Bravo, his rider in all four of his graded wins.

Big Score, by Mr. Big
Last 3 Beyers: 96-99-92

◗ Though his last win was in April 2017 at Keeneland, Big Score is consistently competitive. Since winning the Grade 3 Transylvania, he’s finished in the money in six graded stakes.

Kenjisstorm, by Stormy Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 97-95-71

◗ He is potential lone speed.

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