The Sham Stakes – Grade III, $200,000 – Santa Anita Park – 1 1/8 Miles,
by Brian Nadeau

As opposed to the Fountain of Youth, the Sham brings together one known quantity in The Pamplemousse, and several others who have yet to make their mark on the big stage. The former rates a deserving favorite and potentially the controlling speed of this 9-furlong affair and clearly rates as the horse to beat, while the rest of the 12-horse field will look to show their connections they belong with the best of their generation.

Hi Flyin Indy: This colt hasn’t quite lived up to his pedigree or lofty purchase price, but as a son of A.P. Indy, he has every right to get better with age and distance. He gets to stretch his legs a bit more today and the rail ensures a cozy, ground-saving trip. With that being said, he looks a bit overmatched at this stage of the game.

Smart Bid: Impressed in his local bow, a 1-mile allowance win on the turf course, and his tactical speed should have him close to The Pamplemousse early. In three main track starts he failed to impress or run very fast but the switch to turf really woke him up, meaning today’s surface should suit him. The question is, do you believe his last race or is a regression coming off such a lifetime best? He’s going to take his share of the action too, so I’ll make him do it again before I get on board.

Tiz True: Long-winded sort has spun his wheels since shifting barns and heading west and that doesn’t seem like the best way to head into your stakes debut. Seems like they’re reaching quite a bit in here.

Lifeline: His two starts since being claimed have been by far the best of his career and he’s also paired up figures as well, which can often be a sign that a young horse is ready to make a major move forward. Trainer Cho might not be the most popular name out there but he knows how to handle a young horse, saddling Street Hero to a win in the Grade I Norfolk last fall prior to his third place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. This colt even has a bit of pedigree appeal as his grand dam was champion Meadow Star. He’s taking a huge step up off his maiden win but let’s face it, this isn’t the saltiest group you’re ever going to see. Not out of this by any means.

The Pamplemousse: Deserving favorite off his easy wire-to-wire score in the Grade III San Rafael here on January 17. But before we go too overboard, let’s remember that was a five-horse field and his only competition, Grade I-winner Square Eddie, returned banged up and is now off the Derby Trail. So while he was impressive, you’re allowed to be a bit skeptical. The other side of the coin says you’re not supposed to be on the lead at Santa Anita and all this colt did in the San Rafael was go 45 and change for the half and keep going. With little other speed signed on in here, he’ll be winging early again, and will take them as far as he can. While I respect him, there’s no reason to take too short a number, especially with the stretch to 9 furlongs.

Balfour Park: Add blinkers for the Lewis barn, who plunked down $100,000 for him prior to his maiden claiming score. He gets thrown right into the deep end of the pool in here and he’ll have to improve by about 20 lengths to be a factor.

Mr. Hot Stuff: Freaked in his last, when he broke his maiden in quick fashion, after struggling in his first four career outs. If he is able to run back to that race, he has every right to get his picture taken, but the problem is that race was eons better than anything he’s ever done. But hey, we know these 3-year-olds can improve dramatically overnight. Come-from-the-clouds sort is a danger in the lane, but might need to get his feet wet against this type before threatening for top honors.

Bourbon Bay: Hmmm, here’s someone that will test a handicapper’s creativity. He’s only run on turf in his five career starts, has been off since last November and has not won since breaking his maiden last August at Ellis Park. So the Sham seems like the obvious stepping off point for his sophomore debut, right? Not really the typical Drysdale move-which is exactly why he rates a long look in here. Sometimes it’s better not to outthink things and take them at face value, which means this guy’s ready to run a smasher today. Look out.

Ventana: Those looking to beat the favorite were happy to see this colt wheel back on short rest after an even run in the San Vicente on February 16. The reason is that he adds blinkers after exiting several sprints that saw him within shouting distance of some pretty swift half-miles. He’s probably not a win threat but he should be winging early and could give the closers reason to cheer late.

Mark S The Cooler: Ran an even fifth in the Bob Lewis here on February 7, which is encouraging considering it was his first start after breaking his maiden. He’s got every right to move forward today and he’s quietly coming to hand for the O’Neill barn. The Lewis, from a quality standpoint, was tons better than this race and if this son of Johar improves off his last he’s got a big shot at a nice price.

Unbridled Roman: Paasch-trainee has some tactical speed and he’ll have to use it from his wide draw. Cal-bred hasn’t really shown he can handle this kind of assignment and though he’s lightly raced and eligible to jump up at any point, it’s to imagine today’s the day.

Take The Points: The probable second choice presumably will scratch from the Fountain of Youth to run here. Anything Pletcher sends out has to be respected and this guy seemed to put it all together in his last start when he ran fast beating stablemate Masala in an entry-level allowance at Gulfstream on January 31. But as good as he looked, can he overcome a cross-country trip and win his stakes debut while making his first start on the fake stuff and first start going two turns? If he can, he’s probably going to be mentioned in the same sentence as Old Fashioned and the other top Derby threats, but it’s asking an awful lot at this point.