Yiannis makes second start of comeback in Los Angeles Stakes
CYPRESS, Calif. – Yiannis appeared to be on his way to a promising fall campaign last year following a win in an optional claimer at Del Mar last July. A day later, his career was in peril.
Yiannis sustained a muscle injury to a shoulder in his win and needed the winter off. He did not start again until March 25, finishing third in an optional claimer at Santa Anita.
Trained by John Sadler for Pete and Kosta Hronis, Yiannis will have his second start of 2016 in Saturday’s $100,000 Los Angeles Stakes at Los Alamitos. Sadler envisions the Grade 3 Los Angeles Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs as a springboard to more important races for the 4-year-old Yiannis, who has recovered from the injury.
“I’ve got him pegged as an up-and-comer,” he said.
Los Angeles, Race 5
KEY CONTENDERS
Yiannis, by Midshipman
Last 3 Beyers: 87-86-80
◗ Purchased for $560,000 at a sale of 2-year-olds in training in 2014, Yiannis was fourth in his first stakes appearance, the Grade 3 Laz Barrera Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita last May. He did not start again until the win in the optional claimer last August.
◗ Sadler said the shoulder injury likely occurred when Yiannis left the gate.
“We think he hit the front of it,” Sadler said. “He had to go to the clinic the next day. We thought it was something bad.”
◗ Sadler said the injury required extensive rest and ultrasound treatment. In his return to racing last month, Yiannis led with a furlong to go and finished behind Kafister and Raised a Secret, losing by a half-length.
“He didn’t switch leads in the first race back, and it might have cost him,” Sadler said.
◗ Raised a Secret is part of the Los Angeles Stakes field and has a similar running style as Yiannis – the ability to race on or near the front. That could be beneficial if runners such as W. Giles and Sir Kip take their customary positions at the front.
◗ Such a scenario would also benefit San Onofre, who won the Grade 3 Midnight Lute Stakes at Santa Anita in January but was well-beaten in his last two starts.
◗ Sadler does not think Yiannis will be far behind on Saturday.
“He’s a fast horse,” he said. “He doesn’t have to be in front. He can be second or on the lead.”
Wild Dude, by Wildcat Heir
Last 3 Beyers: 84-98-98
◗ A win in the Los Angeles Stakes would make the 6-year-old Wild Dude a millionaire. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Wild Dude has won 7 of 20 starts and earned $955,232.
◗ Wild Dude won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship last October but was sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last October and in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita last month. The distance of Saturday’s race is a concern for Hollendorfer.
“I don’t know if 5 1/2 furlongs is his best deal,” he said. “The horse is training good. We think he’ll have a chance.”