Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Sidney's Candy drilled seven furlongs in 1:25 3/5 in his final work July 11 for the upcoming $200,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) at Hollywood Park.
The July 17 Swaps is for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on Cushion Track.
Sidney’s Candy was teamed with regular jockey Joe Talamo for his workout.
“He went really smooth all the way,” said John Sadler, trainer of Sidney’s Candy. The chestnut Candy Ride colt will try to rebound from a 17th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 1.
A combination of a bad post (20), a sloppy track, and a fast pace were too much for Sidney’s Candy to handle in Louisville, Sadler said.
“We just gave him time to get his energy back up,” said Sadler. “He’s had plenty of works over this track since he came back.”
Also working for the Swaps was the quickly-developing Golden Itiz, winner of the Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood June 19 for Jay Em Ess Stable. Golden Itiz drilled five furlongs in 1:02 2/5 under exercise rider Jose Dominguez.
“Golden Itiz worked alone this morning,” said trainer Ron Ellis. “He worked with Rail Trip last time.”
Jockey Tyler Baze has the call back on the son of Tiznow . Golden Itiz shoots for his fourth straight victory in the Swaps.
Ellis said he also planned to enter Pinal in the Swaps to assure an honest pace. Pinal was claimed for $50,000 by Jay Em Ess Stable out of a wire-to-wire victory at six furlongs on turf July 4.
Other probable starters are Affirmed runner-up Skipshot (Joel Rosario) and Sham (gr. III) and Snow Chief stakes winner Alphie's Bet (Mike Smith).
