Wild Dude may return in Palos Verdes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Wild Dude, the winner of the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita last year, is nearing a return to racing and could start in the $200,000 Palos Verdes here Jan. 31.

On Friday at Santa Anita, Wild Dude worked six furlongs in 1:12.60. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Wild Dude has worked steadily in recent weeks. The Palos Verdes is run over six furlongs.

“We have time to get him ready for that race,” Hollendorfer said.

Wild Dude, 5, has not raced since finishing second in the Potrero Grande Stakes last April. Owned by Hollendorfer and Green Smith, Wild Dude has won 4 of 10 starts and earned $320,220.

Hollendorfer said he has not decided on race plans for Sam’s Sister, the winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over seven furlongs here Dec. 26. There are two suitable options for her in the next week, both Grade 2, $200,000 stakes: the La Canada Stakes for 4-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 17 or the Santa Monica Stakes against fillies and mares over seven furlongs Jan. 19.

The La Canada Stakes field is expected to include Lexie Lou, the winner of the Queen’s Plate Stakes against males at Woodbine last summer. Trained by Mark Casse, Lexie Lou was second to California Chrome in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Nov. 29.

Racing will be held on a Thursday-through-Monday basis next week. The La Canada and Santa Monica Stakes are the richest races during that span.