Synthesis trying a couple new things in allowance

ARCADIA, Calif. – Four weeks after a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, Synthesis will have his second start for trainer George Papaprodromou in an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option Sunday at Santa Anita. The race will represent two firsts for Synthesis – his turf debut in his 11th start and the first time he will be fitted with blinkers.

Synthesis was bought privately in mid-March by Rustin Kretz, John Decker, and Jay Selby, and had been with Papaprodromou for less than three weeks before he finished 10 1/2 lengths behind winner Roadster in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby. He had been trained for his first nine races by Keith Desormeaux.

Through the rest of April, Papaprodromou got to know Synthesis, leaving the trainer with a higher level of confidence for Sunday’s race. Synthesis worked for Sunday’s race on April 28, going five furlongs in 1:01.40 on the main track with blinkers.

“Hopefully, he will like the turf,” Papaprodromou said. “When we ran him in the derby, he was looking around. We hope the blinkers will make him a little more focused.”

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The optional claimer, to be run at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds, drew a field of five. Synthesis is the only runner in the field with graded stakes experience. Last August, Synthesis was third in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar. He also ran sixth in the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill last September and fourth in the Grade 2 San Vicente at Santa Anita in February.

Contagion and Tikkun Olam have won on turf and are entered to be claimed for $80,000. Swamp Souffle was claimed for $32,000 by trainer Bill Spawr from Papaprodromou on Feb. 16 in the gelding’s most recent start.

Gregorian Chant will have his American debut Sunday. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Gregorian Chant has raced once, winning a maiden race at seven furlongs on the all-weather surface at Dundalk, Ireland, in December.

KEY CONTENDERS

Synthesis, by First Samurai

Last 3 Beyers: 82-72-66

◗ Synthesis was within a length of the front on the turn of the Santa Anita Derby before fading through the stretch.

◗ Papaprodromou expects Synthesis to be on the lead Sunday from the inside post. Rafael Bejarano, who was aboard in the Santa Anita Derby, retains the mount.

“I think we’re the speed of the race,” he said. “Hopefully, we can get out and get comfortable.”

Gregorian Chant, by Gregorian

Beyers: NA

◗ Gregorian Chant arrived at D’Amato’s stable at the start of this year and has worked steadily in recent weeks on the infield training track, which is customary for D’Amato-trained runners.

◗ In Ireland, Gregorian Chant closed from 11th in a field of 13 to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Roger That, who returned a month later to win a maiden race at Dundalk.

◗ D’Amato said Sunday’s race could lead to starts in turf stakes this summer for Gregorian Chant.

“It’s a nice race to get him started in this country,” he said. “He moves like a horse with a turn of foot.”