Fair Grounds Barn Notes: Proforma Impresses Stidham, Likely to Stay Short

By Michael Adolphson —-

• Proforma Impresses Stidham, Likely to Stay Short
• Work Tab

PROFORMA IMPRESSES STIDHAM, LIKELY TO STAY SHORT

DARRS, Inc.’s Proforma put on a solid performance on Saturday afternoon for trainer Mike Stidham, stalking and pouncing with aplomb en route to an easy three-length win in the $75,000 Sugar Bowl Stakes. Traditionally the preamble to the trio of graded Kentucky Derby preps, the Sugar Bowl may not necessarily launch the son of Munnings into the two-turn fray, according to his conditioner.

“I don’t want to commit to saying he definitely can’t go two turns, but when you look at the pedigree, it is kind of sprint on sprint,” Stidham said. “When you look at the horse himself, he screams fast and has a big hip and big shoulder like a lot of sprinters and that build is often more conducive to a one-turn type of horse. Of course, I don’t want to say no to anything yet, as Munnings has thrown some good two-turn horses, but my inclination so far is to stay short with him.”

In his third race in six weeks, the gelded chestnut sat comfortably in fourth of the six sprinting freshman under Florent Geroux before launching an instantaneous bid to catch up with heavy race favorite Running Mate approaching the stretch. Powering past that rival, he was ridden with confidence as he crossed the wire easily clear, earning a 101 Equibase Speed Figure in the process.

“He was a little more tactical this time,” Stidham said. “At the half-mile pole Florent gunned him a little to get in position and he had instant acceleration like a sports car and then was able to settle again and re-break again in the stretch. That’s what separates the good from the average ones and was very exciting to watch.”

“We’ll look around for his next race,” Stidham concluded. “His best opportunities are when he turns three and a lot of those races are in the spring.”

WORK TAB

Michael Langford’s graded stakes winner Carve worked a smart five furlongs in 1:01 flat for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Talented multiple allowance winner Whimsicality, who failed to draw into Saturday’s $75,000 Blushing K. D. Stakes, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 for trainer Mike Stidham and owner Pin Oak Stud.

Stonestreet Stables and Regis Racing’s Royal Obsession worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 for trainer Steve Asmussen. The daughter of Tapit is pointing to her second race since finishing off the board in the Grade I Kentucky Oaks.

Multiple stakes winner Inconclusive worked a swift five furlongs in 1:00.60 for trainer Richie Scherer. The daughter of Include is aiming to the $75,000 Pago Hop Stakes on New Year’s Eve for owners Carolyn Friedberg and Jeff T. Larson.