Petruchio Returns To Turf & Heads Sunday’s $100,000 Singletary Stakes

By Mike Willman —-

PETRUCHIO RETURNS TO TURF & HEADS SUNDAY’S $100,000 SINGLETARY STAKES AS THREE-YEAR-OLDS GO ONE MILE ON TURF

ARCADIA, Calif. (April 22, 2021)—A graded stakes-placed runner on dirt and a winner on turf, Richard Mandella’s Petruchio returns to what may be his preferred surface as he heads a field of six sophomores going one mile on grass in Sunday’s $100,000 Singletary Stakes at Santa Anita.

Owned by his breeders, Perry R. and Ramona S. Bass, Petruchio broke his maiden three starts back going one mile on turf at Del Mar on Oct. 31 and was subsequently third, beaten 3 ½ lengths by Spielberg in the Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity at a mile and one sixteenth on dirt Dec. 19.

Off at 3-1 in the El Camino Real Derby at a mile and one eighth on Tapeta Feb. 13, Petruchio pressed the early pace and tired badly to finish sixth, beaten 13 ¼ lengths.

In what will be his second start of the year, Petruchio will be reunited with Mike Smith, who rode him in both his maiden win and in the Los Al Futurity.

A Kentucky-bred gelding by Into Mischief, out of the Distorted Humor mare Satirical, Petruchio, who was Triple Crown nominated, is 6-1-1-3, with earnings of $82,850.

John Sadler’s Irish-bred Sword Zorro, who was a fast finishing fifth on turf in his U.S. debut, the 6 ½ furlong Baffle Stakes here on Feb. 5, could show marked improvement with Umberto Rispoli climbing aboard for the first time.

A seven furlong turf maiden winner in his final Ireland start on Oct. 24, Sword Zorro was off at 7-1 in the Baffle and was taken back to last, 12 lengths off the lead after the first half mile. In a better-than-looked effort, he made up much ground in a fashion that suggested he could benefit considerably from the experience.

Second going one mile on turf in his second start on July 23 in Ireland, Sword Zorro, who is currently owned by Zhang Yuesheng, is 6-1-3-1 and perhaps primed for an upset.

Trained by Richard Baltas and owned by Sanjay Racing, LLC, Gator Shining has been off the board only once in five starts, that being an eighth place finish in the Feb. 5 Baffle. Away slowly and ridden to a third place finish in a six furlong turf allowance on March 13, Gator Shining earned a much improved 77 Beyer Speed figure and has attracted the services of leading man Flavien Prat.

A Kentucky-bred colt by Noble Mission, out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Underway, Gator Shining, who broke his maiden in his second start going five furlongs on turf at Del Mar Nov. 13, will be trying two turns for the first time.

THE $100,000 SINGLETARY STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 9 of 10 Approximate post time 5 p.m. PT

Petruchio—Mike Smith—120
Sensemaker—Kent Desormeaux—122
Man Friday—Abel Cedillo—120
Sword Zorro—Umberto Rispoli–120
Gator Shining—Flavien Prat—120
Coastal Kid—Tyler Baze—120

First post time for a 10-race card on Sunday is at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

NORTH COUNTY GUY SEEKS THIRD STRAIGHT WIN AS HE HEADS SATURDAY’S $100,000 CRYSTAL WATER STAKES FOR CAL-BREDS AT ONE MILE ON TURF

ARCADIA, Calif. (April 21, 2021)—Fresh off a pair of impressive wins over the Santa Anita turf, the Richard Baltas-trained North County Guy heads Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes, for older California-bred or sired horses at one mile on turf. Named for the California-bred winner of the both the Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup in 1977, the Crystal Water has attracted a field of six.

The Crystal Water is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA and is for eligible California-bred or sired runners.

A 6-year-old gelding by The Pamplemousse, out of the Unusual Heat mare Warmth, North County Guy has earned lofty Beyer Speed figures of 97 in his last two races, a 2 ¼ length classified allowance win at one mile on turf March 7 and a gutty neck victory in the Cal Cup Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles on turf two starts back on Jan. 16—a race in which he was 15 lengths off the lead after the first half mile.

Attentive to the pace in his classified allowance win, North County Guy can be expected to employ similar tactics in the Crystal Water with regular rider Mario Gutierrez back aboard.

Claimed for $20,000 21 starts back on Aug. 22, 2018, North County Guy is owned by Nancy Messineo and Bruce Sands. With an overall mark of 29-7-7-5, he’s 6-1-3-1 at one mile on turf and has amassed earnings of $421,247.

In what ranks as one of best career efforts, trainer Craig Dollase’s Brandothebartender rallied to take the statebred Sensational Star Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths on March 21, earning a solid 92 Beyer Speed figure. An 8-year-old gelding by Tribal Rule, out of the Stravinsky mare Frysland, Brandothebartender has two wins and as many thirds from seven tries at one mile on grass.

“This horse brings it every time,” said Dollase following the Sensational Star. “He’s eight years old, but he doesn’t know it!”

Ridden to perfection in the Sensational Star by Umberto Rispoli, “Brando” will be making his third career start in the Crystal Water and be ridden by the Italian native for the fifth consecutive time on Saturday. Owned by Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan and Michael Jarvis, Brandothebartender has five wins from 23 starts over the Santa Anita turf and is 42-7-6-15 overall with earnings of $608,364.

Named for the multiple combat decorated World War II Medal of Honor winner, Desmond Doss battled back in game fashion in the Sensational Star, but ended up third, beaten 1 ½ lengths by Brandothebartender at odds of 3-1. A 5-year-old Nick Alexander homebred horse by Grazen out of Malley Girl, by Malek, Desmond Doss will generate considerable interest due to the fact he’ll provide apprentice Emily Ellingwood with her first-ever stakes opportunity.

A one mile maiden turf winner in his second start on June 8, 2019, Desmond Doss, who is conditioned by Steve Miyadi, is 11-3-2-1 and will be seeking his first stakes win on Saturday.

THE $100,000 CRYSTAL WATER STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 1 of 11 Post time 1 p.m. PT

North County Guy—Mario Gutierrez—124
Acclimate—Flavien Prat—124
Desmond Doss—Emily Ellingwood—120
Irish Heatwave—Juan Hernandez—124
Brandothebartender—Umberto Rispoli—122
Prodigal Son—Kent Desormeaux—120

First post time for an 11-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.