Slim Shadey returns to his favorite distance of 10 furlongs as the 122-pound highweight in the $200,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT) on the turf at Betfair Hollywood Park June 8.
The three-time grade II winner ran second to Interaction in last year's Whittingham, a grade I event previously that was downgraded for 2013. Slim Shadey a 5-year-old homebred from Great Britain trained by Simon Callaghan for Phil Cunningham, has recorded four of his five lifetime victories at the Whittingham distance.
A field of seven is entered, with Slim Shadey spotting his rivals from three to nine pounds. The race is the fourth on Hollywood's Belmont Stakes day program Saturday with a 2:32 p.m. PDT probable post. Also on the card is the $150,000 Honeymoon Handicap (gr. IIT), the 10th race for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.
Slim Shadey is coming off a sixth-place finish in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) on a yielding turf course at Churchill Downs May 4. The dark bay gelding, who likes to be forwardly placed, was unruly in the gate and was not a factor in the 1 1/8-mile contest. After a slow start, he finished more than nine lengths behind the victorious Wise Dan.
David Flores, who rode Slim Shadey in last year's Whittingham, regains the mount for Callaghan. They will break from post 5.
All Squared Away heads into the Whittingham after a series of good efforts in graded company on the grass at Santa Anita Park. They included a tough-luck second by a nose to Interaction in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap (gr. IIT) in his most recent appearance April 21.
Now trained by Peter Miller for a partnership that includes Brous Stable, Wachtel Stable, and Wire to Wire Stables, 4-year-old All Squared Away will shorten up considerably for his return. The Bellamy Road gelding is in search of his first stakes win since taking the Coolmore Lexington (gr. III) at Keeneland in April 2012 for trainer Wesley Ward at odds of 70-1.
Corey Nakatani, who guided All Squared Way to victory in an allowance race at Del Mar last August, takes over the mount from Edwin Maldonado. They leave from post 2 under 119 pounds.
Smart Ellis was a good third in the San Juan Capistrano after pressing the pace. The Wertheimer and Frere homebred also makes his first start since then for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. The 4-year-old Smarty Jones colt has not done much in two starts at Hollywood, including a distant 12th in the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) at 33-1 last November, his only prior try at the 10-furlong trip.
Lucky Primo makes his first start since winning last fall's California Cup Classic on dirt for J B K Stables and Joshua Litt, who bred and also trains the 7-year-old Atticus gelding. A stakes winner against state-bred company over the Hollywood turf in June 2011, Lucky Primo makes his first appearance in a graded stakes. He breaks from the rail with Tyler Baze aboard.
Kretz Racing's Tale of a Champion returns from a two-month freshening for trainer Kristin Mulhall following a victory in the March Madness Handicap at nine furlongs March 30 at Santa Anita.
Lime Rickey, second in the 1 1/2-mile Round Table over the course May 12 after running fourth in the San Juan Capistrano, and recent allowance/optional claiming winner Niagara Falls complete the field.
$200,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT, Race 4, 2:32 p.m.), 3 & Up, 1 1/4 Miles (Turf)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Lucky Primo (CA), T Baze, 116, J M Litt
2. All Squared Away (KY), C S Nakatani, 119, P Miller
3. Smart Ellis (KY), V Espinoza, 115, R E Mandella
4. Tale of a Champion (KY), J Talamo, 115, K Mulhall
5. Slim Shadey (GB), D R Flores, 122, S Callaghan
6. Niagara Falls (KY), M A Pedroza, 114, P L Biancone
7. Lime Rickey (KY), R Bejarano, 113, W Spawr
Four of Five of Slim Shadey's wins have come at 10 furlongs.
Benoit Photo