Colonel John Wins Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park; El Gato Malo Loses For The First Time
Colonel John, ridden by jockey Garrett Gomez, held of 3-5 favorite El Gato Malo to win the $200,000 Sham Stakes by half a length Saturday, March 1, at Santa Anita Park.
The Sham Stakes is one of the two 2008 Kentucky Derby prep races scheduled for Saturday. The other being the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park in Kentucky.
WinStar Farm LLC’s Colonel John ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.15 and paid $5, $2.40 and $2.10. Having opened his career 3-0 for trainer Craig Dollase, El Gato Malo under jockey David Flores suffered his first loss and returned $2.20 and $2.10. Victory Pete with jockey Joe Talamo on the mount is third and paid $2.60 to show.
Trained by Eoin Harty, Colonel John hadn’t run since December 22, when he finished second to Into Mischief in the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park. Jockey Garrett Gomez was aboard in place of Corey Nakatani, expected to return Sunday after being out with a broken collarbone.
Both Colonel John and El Gato Malo are set to meet again in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 5, the West Coast’s major prep for the Kentucky Derby.
Three-year-olds who also participated in Santa Anita Park’s Sham Stakes: Reflect Times and Success Fee. Coast Guard and Trevor’s Clever were scratched.
"Colonel John Wins Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park; El Gato Malo Loses For The First Time" was posted on 1 March 2008 10:01 PM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Stakes Races
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