Top two due for better luck in Clockers' Corner

ARCADIA, Calif. – Commander’s bad trip and Chaos Theory’s bad foot prevented either from winning a Grade 2 turf sprint last month, but fortunes may change Saturday at Santa Anita.

They run six furlongs on turf in the $70,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes, a race in which Commander appears the most likely winner after a tough trip against better. Blocked through the stretch in the Joe Hernandez, he finished fifth by 2 1/4 lengths.

Figuratively, Commander never had a chance to run. Literally, neither did Joe Hernandez nominee Chaos Theory. In his final workout, he lost a shoe, came down with a tender foot, and did not enter. The graded winner has since recovered, and trained well.

Commander and Chaos Theory rank as top contenders in the Clockers’ Corner, restricted to non-winners of a graded race since the start of 2021. All eight entrants have a shot.

Border Town has flirted with top company in routes; Barristan The Bold wheels back 13 days after a fast starter-allowance win; Barraza is a hillside specialist moving to the flat; Weston won a graded stakes at 2 and launches his comeback at 4. Comradery, 2 for 2 in Santa Anita turf routes, and stakes winner Vanzzy, also entered.

While the Clockers’ Corner is the featured seventh race, race 8 also is significant. The maiden sprint for 3-year-olds marks the debut of $2.6 million juvenile Bletchley Park. Bob Baffert trains the son of Nyquist, whose rivals include stablemates Sense of Dominance and Vittoro. Perhaps the maiden race will produce a Preakness candidate.

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Commander has more going for him in the Clockers’ Corner than a bad trip last out. He won a highly rated second-level allowance three back when last ridden by Flavien Prat, who is back Saturday. Commander previously missed by a head in an allowance won by top turf sprinter Beer Can Man. Commander’s trainer is Ruben Alvarado.

Chaos Theory, 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last out, won a Grade 3 in 2020 before trainer Bob Hess Jr. claimed him last year for $62,500. Chaos Theory’s new rider is Abel Cedillo. Regular rider Kent Desormeaux sticks with Barraza, winner of first- and second-level allowances on the hill.

Barristan The Bold should be forwardly placed in a race with a murky pace scenario. Weston also should be forwardly placed in his first start since last February.

Ryan Hanson trains Weston, who won the Grade 2 Best Pal and finished third behind Dr. Schivel in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity before tailing off.

“He was a tired horse, a little worn out,” Hanson said explaining the layoff.

Weston, a $7,000 yearling who has won two races and $156,500 from six starts, briefly returned to training last summer but needed more time and was turned out again.

After he returned late last year, Weston initially did not train like a graded winner, but Hanson said: “He’s picked it up the last little bit. He’s had a couple gate works. The fitness is there, we’re ready to go.”

Mike Smith rides.