Wild Dude looks to stay hot in Southern California sprints

ARCADIA, Calif. – In the last six months, Wild Dude has won half of his six starts and emerged as a leading sprinter in Southern California. More of the same is expected from him through the summer.

On Monday, Wild Dude can win his second stakes of 2014 when competing in the $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap at six furlongs at Santa Anita. Already this year, Wild Dude won the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes in February, was a close fourth in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes in March, and beaten a nose as the 7-5 favorite April 12 in the Grade 2 Potrero Grande Stakes.

“I think his best asset is his consistency,” said trainer and co-owner Jerry Hollendorfer. “I think he’s versatile. He can run between six and seven [furlongs].”

Co-owned by Green Smith Jr., Wild Dude will be favored in the Grade 3 Los Angeles Handicap, the second of nine races on a program that begins at 1:30 p.m. Pacific. Mike Smith has the mount on Wild Dude for the first time, replacing an injured Rafael Bejarano.

Wild Dude, a 4-year-old colt, is most effective as a stalker or closer. In the Palos Verdes, Wild Dude closed from fourth in the field of five, overcoming trouble to win by a neck over Secret Circle, the winner of the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Hollendorfer said he has seen progress from Wild Dude since the Potrero Grande.

“He’s been training forwardly,” Hollendorfer said. “We hope that he can run like he usually does. That would give us a chance to win it.”

There are only five entrants in the Los Angeles Handicap, and there may not be that many starters.

Trainer Bob Baffert said Saturday that Super Ninety Nine, unraced since finishing third in the Santa Anita Derby in April 2013, is not a definite runner.

“I don’t know if I am going to run,” Baffert said. “It’s too short for him.”

If Super Ninety Nine does start, the Los Angeles will be his first appearance in a sprint since finishing fourth in an allowance race here in December 2012.

Stakes winners Cyclometer and Wine Police and stakes-placed Color of Courage are the other entrants.

Cyclometer and Wine Police were third and fifth, respectively, in the Potrero Grande. Cyclometer could play an important role as a pacesetter because the race lacks speed.

Color of Courage has not raced since finishing second in November in the Grade 3 Vernon Underwood Stakes at Hollywood Park. Monday’s race will be Color of Courage’s first start for trainer Richard Mandella.