Trying again with the Sham

ARCADIA, Calif. - The Sham Stakes, postponed after the cancellation of last Saturday's nine-race program because of poor drainage on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride main track, will be run Saturday. The $150,000 Sham, for 3-year-olds, is one of five stakes on a card that includes the Big Cap.

Santa Anita endured three inches of rain from late Friday through Saturday, according to track superintendent Richard Tedesco. It was the fifth time at the meeting that racing was lost to wet weather.

The leading contenders for the Sham include the maiden race winner Nextdoorneighbor and the recent allowance race winner Kettle River. Trainer Peter Eurton said the turf horse Lucky Rave may run.

Nextdoorneighbor's trainer, Mike Machowsky, said he envisions the Sham as a prep for the $750,000 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 27 or the $800,000 Sunland Park Derby in New Mexico on March 28.

The Saturday program also features two other Grade 1 races - the $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks, led by division leader Blind Luck, and the $250,000 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf.

Blind Luck has won three Grade 1 races - the Oak Leaf Stakes and Hollywood Starlet last fall and the Las Virgenes Stakes on Feb. 13.

The Kilroe Mile is expected to be led by Fluke, the winner of the Citation Handicap last November, and The Usual Q.T. and Battle of Hastings, the first two finishers of the Hollywood Derby last November.