Ward 'n Jerry can take the San Juan distance
The distance is new, but the premise is unchanged. Ward ’n Jerry has shown an affinity for marathon stakes on turf, making the veteran gelding a strong favorite in Sunday’s Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles at Santa Anita.
Last December, Ward ’n Jerry was third by a neck in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar. In March, Ward ’n Jerry won the first stakes of his career in his 20th start in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at that distance at Santa Anita.
“The horse’s form is impeccable,” trainer Mike Puype said Friday. “I don’t think another quarter-mile will hurt. What do I have to lose by trying? He’ll be favored for $100,000.”
The $100,000 San Juan Capistrano is one of four stakes on a 12-race program Sunday at Santa Anita, the final day of the winter-spring meeting. Los Alamitos opens a two-week Thoroughbred meeting Friday.
Ward ’n Jerry, a 7-year-old gelding owned by Larry and Marianne Williams, finished fifth, beaten four lengths, in the Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers on June 6, closing from last in a field of eight. A slow pace hindered his chances, Puype said.
:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
“The race was like a good workout the other day,” Puype said. “I counted five speed horses, and none of them went. When they put up those fractions, I was out of the race.”
In the San Luis Rey Stakes, Ward ’n Jerry closed from third in a field of seven to win by 1 1/4 lengths under jockey Flavien Prat, who has the mount Sunday.
Ward ’n Jerry is the only 2020 stakes winner among eight entrants in the San Juan Capistrano. Siberian Iris, 6, won the CTT and TOC Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares at Del Mar last summer. Red King was third in the 2019 San Juan Capistrano, the only runner in Sunday’s field with experience at the distance.
Red King ended a seven-race losing streak with a nose win in a first-level allowance race at a mile on turf May 24. In the 2019 San Juan Capistrano, Red King closed from last of seven to finish 1 3/4 lengths behind Acclimate.
“He’s an honest horse,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “He tries every time. The added distance looks like something that he relishes. He’s coming off a win, and this race isn’t coming up terribly tough.
“I thought it was worth a shot.”
Melair Stakes
After conquering the boys in a statebred sprint stakes last month, the unbeaten Big Sweep will be tried at 1 1/16 miles for the first time in Sunday’s $150,000 Melair Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies.
Considering the way she rallied through the stretch of the Echo Eddie Stakes at six furlongs on May 16, trainer Mark Glatt says he is comfortable with the longer trip.
“All indications are she will get the distance,” Glatt said. “She’s not speed-crazy by any stretch of the imagination. That always helps.”
Big Sweep drew the rail in the Melair, which has a field of six. In her debut at six furlongs on March 14, Big Sweep led throughout to win a maiden race by 2 1/4 lengths.
“It shows you how talented the filly is to go wire-to-wire in her first start, and in her second start to show a new dimension,” Glatt said.
In the Melair, Big Sweep is expected to set the pace under jockey Flavien Prat.
“I would rather see her have a little bit of a target,” Glatt said. “Glancing at the race and how it will set up, she will likely find herself on the lead.”
The Melair has depth. Smiling Shirlee won the Evening Jewel Stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs on May 16 and won an allowance race with a $20,000 claiming option against older statebred fillies and mares at a mile on March 6.
Smiling Shirlee is a threat from off the pace.
“She likes to get herself in position and make a run,” trainer Jeff Bonde said.
Warren’s Showtime, who drew the outside post, has won three one-mile turf stakes. A troubled fourth in the Evening Jewel, Warren’s Showtime was third against older statebred fillies and mares in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes at a mile on turf on June 6.