SIDNEY’S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) displayed turf prowess last year when
recording a 5 1/2-length score in the La Jolla (G2) and a sixth in the Breeders’
Cup Mile (G1), beaten only three lengths by the incomparable Goldikova (Ire)
(Anabaa), but the John Sadler-trained colt hasn’t been seen on the green since
early November. The speedy four-year-old will finally return to the turf in
Saturday’s $150,000
American
H. (G2) at Hollywood Park.
Trained by John Sadler, Sidney’s Candy is the 123-pound highweight among
eight rivals in the one-mile affair with jockey Joel Rosario.
The chestnut colt was entered in the grassy Sir Beaufort (G3) on
Santa Anita’s opening day program in late December, but the one-mile event was
transferred to the main track and Sidney’s Candy wound up romping by 7 1/4
lengths over a small group of overmatched opponents. However, he was sidelined
for more than four months afterward, finally reappearing in the May 7 Mervyn
LeRoy (G2) on Hollywood’s Cushion Track, and could not withstand the late rally
of Crown of Thorns (Repent) in his comebacker, checking in second as the 2-5
favorite. It may serve as a good tightener for the American.
Sidney’s Candy figures to break running from post 7 in his turf return and it
will be interesting to see whether the early pace is hot. RYEHILL DREAMER (Ire)
(Catcher in the Rye) and LIBERIAN FREIGHTER (Bertrando) both have speed to his
inside in the starting gate, but neither rival appears quick enough to
out-sprint the probable favorite — they’ll have to apply pressure to Sidney’s
Candy while chasing him.
The American could set up nicely for multiple Grade 1 victor THE USUAL Q.T.
(Unusual Heat), who figures to be running late beneath Victor Espinoza. An
earner of more than $1.4 million, the five-year-old gelding has placed in his
last five starts, but the Jim Cassidy charge will be attempting to snap a
six-race losing skid that dates back to his victory in the Eddie Read (G1) last
July. The Usual Q.T. has posted big BRIS Late Pace ratings (108 and 107) in his
last two attempts behind moderate early fractions and owns a stellar 7-5-1-1 mark
at the distance.
Liberian Freighter will enter on the upswing for Neil Drysdale, recording
front-running victories in the Inglewood (G3) and Arcadia (G2) in his last two
starts, and the California-bred stakes ranks veteran also captured the Oak Tree
Mile (G2) at Hollywood last fall. He’s posted an admirable five-for-nine ledger
over the course, but the six-year-old gelding will face a different pace
scenario on Saturday from his recent starts. Look for him to revert to rating
tactics under Martin Garcia.
French Group 3 winner GOLDWAKI (Ger) (Dalakhani) will make his U.S. debut in
the American and could be dangerous off the layoff for Hall of Fame trainer Ron
McAnally. Last seen finishing fourth in the Prix Chaudenay (Fr-G2) on the Prix
de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) undercard, the four-year-old colt also posted a
respectable fourth behind Behkabad (Fr) (Cape Cross [Ire]) in the Grand Prix de
Paris (Fr-G1) last summer. Brice Blanc picks up the mount.
Ryehill Dreamer, LEROY’S DYNAMEAUX (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]), NORVSKY (Vronsky)
and SMOKEY LONESOME (Teton Forest) all rate as outsiders and complete the field.