The road to the Santa Anita Derby starts with the Sham stakes. Run at a flat mile and with Grade 3 status. A solid field with several different class levels have entered this race looking for black type on the dirt.
2015 Sham Field
Rare Candy has five lifetime starts with 4 of them on the turf. He has a closing running style. The pedigree says dirt and in his lone dirt start he faced the most likely Champion 2-year-old in Nyquist. Pedigree says dirt and running style and speed figures put him in the mix. Joe Talamo has ridden him 4 straight races. Chance to finish in the money.
Dressed in Hermes is another who goes to the dirt after 4 straight turf races. Another with a presser/closer running style. Mike Smith rides again and he was on board in the Delmar victory last race. recent works indicate fitness and is very capable of winning. Price will be right and is a contender based off form and recent workouts.
Let’s Meet in Rio picked up a victory in most recent start. Son of Flatter out of a Storm Cat mare should like the distance and has some improvement left in him. Not sure he is fast enough and the most recent maiden race was a weaker maiden race visually.
Found Money is the speed of the race, he has the ability to come from off the pace but does his best running near the front. Run in several stakes races. Fits class wise but think he may be on the decline in this spot. Not sold on his chances at this class level and mix of horses.
Semper Fortis is a well-bred horse and was purchased for 525K. Disappointed in a couple of starts. First career race was a very fast maiden race and has learned how to rate the last couple of races. He may be overlooked coming off two wins in a row and is usable in Pick 3’s and Daily Double wagers.
Laoban is a maiden who most recently lost to Lets Meet in Rio. Has a speedy pedigree and they may be trying to strike while the iron is hot and get sire Uncle Mo another stakes placed horse from his first crop.
I’malreadythere was outclassed by Mor Spirit in the G1 Los Al Futurity. Drops in class and should come running in the stretch. Looks a little slow on paper but is in the mix for the trifecta.
Sorryaboutnothing is a horse with a long name and has a win via disqualification 2 starts back. Seems slow on paper and class jump is another hurdle.
Collected is a son of City Zip who cashed in his first time start and moves to the dirt after a couple of turf races. Most likely to be near the lead. Mile will be stretching his distance limitations and the water gets deep in this spot. Speaking of water, should do well if the track is off.
The Choice:
Semper Fortis has looked good visually in both his recent wins. Let’s Meet in Rio will be running late down the lane. I’m taking a wild stab with Rare Candy. Pedigree says dirt. Should get some pace pressure up front and like the rail trip with a closer and Joe Talamo has been riding well. Rare Candy is a 10/1 shot who has a chance to finish in the money and spice up the exotics.