Singletary, named after the ex Chicago Bears linebacker, flattened his opposition Friday with a 2 1/2-length victory in the $81,100 Academy Road Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita Park.
Ridden by David Flores at 116 pounds, Singletary led from start to finish while covering one mile on turf in 1:33.69. The winner paid $6.80, $4.20 and $3.20.
Steelaninch, with Mike Smith aboard at 116 pounds, rallied to finish second and returned $7 and $4. Deep Shadow, Patrick Valenzuela riding at 115 pounds, was third and paid $4.40 for the show.
A Kentucky-bred colt by Sultry Song, Singletary has two wins and a third from five starts. Don Chatlos trains for Little Red Feather Racing.
Breaking from the outside No. 8 post position, Singletary was hustled to the lead, and set fractional times of :23.72, :46.82 and 1:09.90. The bay colt entered the stretch with a two-length lead on Deep Shadow, and then held off a late bid by Steelaninch.
"He broke good and made the lead easy," Flores said of Singletary. "On the backstretch, I knew it was over."
Purchased as a yearling for only $3,200 in 2001, Singletary earned $48,660 for Friday's triumph and now has career earnings of $90,190.
Chatlos said Singletary would remain on turf for the $100,000 La Puente Stakes at one mile on April 12. He is nominated to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).(Chart, Equibase)
Singletary races to victory in the Academy Road Stakes.
