Mandella said the1 1/8 mile disance of the Sham should benefit Action This Day's stretch-running style, but admitted, "he ain't cranked for his life yet. But he's ready to run." Probable for the Sham: Action This Day, David Flores; Borrego, Tyler Baze; Master David, Alex Solis; Preachinatthebar, Gary Stevens; Totally Platinum, no rider; True Contender, no rider; and Winner From Mars, Kent Desormeaux.
Action This Day, the champion 2-year-old male of 2003, faces a likely field of six other 3-year-olds in Sunday's $75,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita.The Sham will be the first start for the son of Kris S. since the Richard Mandella-trained colt won the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at 27-1 odds last Oct. 25."I think he's pretty ready,"trainer Richard Mandella said Wednesday morning. "He's only run three times. It's hard to calculate exactly what day I was going to have him ready since he's only had a little experience."