Whatmakessammyrun a stretch-running danger in Desert Code Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Whatmakessammyrun had a stylish debut in California with a come-from-behind victory in a six-furlong allowance race on turf May 2. The allowance race was essentially a trial for Sunday’s $75,000 Desert Code Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs on turf at Santa Anita, the colt’s third appearance in a stakes and first for new trainer Mark Glatt.

At Aqueduct last November, Whatmakessammyrun was third in the Atlantic Beach Stakes at a mile on turf when trained by George Weaver. In March, Whatmakessammyrun was seventh in the Columbia Stakes at a mile on turf at Tampa Bay Downs in his final start on the East Coast. Owned by Sterling Racing, Whatmakessammyrun was transferred to Glatt earlier this spring.

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In the Desert Code, Whatmakessammyrun drew the inside post, which may not be a burden considering the colt’s closing style. Leading rider Flavien Prat rode Whatmakessammyrun on May 2 and has the mount again Sunday.

“I think the horse wants to rally outside,” Glatt said. “It will be up to Prat. He knows the horse, obviously. Hopefully, he’ll be able to get a hot pace in front of him.”

Prat has a chance at Santa Anita history in the Desert Code. Through Monday, Prat had 19 stakes wins at the current meeting, leaving him in a tie with retired riders Laffit Pincay Jr. and Corey Nakatani for the single-meeting record. Prat was booked to ride at Belmont Park on Friday and Saturday.

The Desert Code is the seventh race on a nine-race program that includes a mandatory payout in the 20-cent Rainbow pick six. Track officials expect a pool of $3 million on Sunday, provided the bet is not hit Friday or Saturday. Sunday’s pick six covers the fourth through ninth races.

Whatmakessammyrun is part of a field of six that includes the filly Missy P., who will have her turf debut. Touchdownbrown, stakes-placed against California-bred 2-year-olds last year, and Enough Nonsense, winner of a $50,000 claiming race for maidens on turf on May 14, were supplemented to the Desert Code for $1,500 on Thursday.

Touchdownbrown will have his first start for trainer Brian Koriner on Sunday and first start since a fourth-place finish against statebreds in the Golden State Juvenile at Del Mar last November.

Love My Jimmy, who has won three of his last four starts, will have his stakes debut in the Desert Code and is expected to set the pace from an outside post.

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Missy P., second in the Angels Flight Stakes at seven furlongs on May 1, and Mohawk King, second to Whatmakessammyrun on May 2, are capable of racing near the front.

Trainer Richard Mandella considered Missy P. for Sunday’s $150,000 Jersey Girl Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on dirt at Belmont Park, but opted to remain in California.

Missy P., who is by Into Mischief, has started twice, including a win by 9 1/2 lengths in a maiden special weight race for fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs on March 12 in her debut. The Desert Code Stakes will be her first start on turf.

“Being an Into Mischief, they’re so good doing whatever you ask,” Mandella said. “I’m going to go in optimistic. There is no program for sprinting fillies out here.”