Sprinters appear to be in short supply in Southern California as only five passed Santa Anita's entry box for the Feb. 4 Palos Verdes Stakes (G2) at six furlongs. While two of the entrants are graded stakes winners, Ocho Ocho Ocho, earned a grade 3 going two turns back in 2014.
At the head of short cast is Altamira Racing Stable’s St. Joe Bay, a dead-heat winner of the Midnight Lute Stakes (G3) with Solid Wager at 6 1/2 furlongs New Year's Eve for trainer Peter Miller. The 5-year-old gelding by St. Anddan (A.P. Indy) preceded that effort with a score in a Del Mar allowance optional claiming sprint Dec. 4. A moderate success as a miler throughout 2016, the cut back seems to suit him.
DP Racing's Ocho Ocho Ocho won the 1 1/16-mile Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3) in November 2014 after taking Santa Anita's Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes for trainer James Cassidy. A run through the Triple Crown trial produced a third-place finish in the nine-furlong Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1), and he made only two starts as a 4-year-old last year. He has not raced since a runner-up effort to three-time grade 1 Lord Nelson in early June 2016.
Hronis Racing's Moe Candy (Candy Ride ) has won three straight going back to October and appears ready for stakes action. Also in the cast is Ike Walker, who was claimed last out for $50,000 by Jerry Hollendorfer for C T R Stables and Distinctive B, a $40,000 claim by Rockingham Ranch from Cassidy last spring.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, February 04, 2017, Race 3Entries: Palos Verdes S. (G2)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Ike Walker (KY) Flavien Prat 120 Jerry Hollendorfer 8/1 2 2Distinctive B (FL) Tyler Baze 120 Peter Miller 7/2 3 3St. Joe Bay (FL) Kent J. Desormeaux 122 Peter Miller 8/5 4 4Ocho Ocho Ocho (KY) Santiago Gonzalez 120 James M. Cassidy 7/2 5 5Moe Candy (KY) Victor Espinoza 120 John W. Sadler 2/1
