Indy Point aims to bounce back in
John Henry
Argentinean star Indy Point, a forgettable last in the Arlington Million,
aims to bounce back in Sunday’s Grade 2, $150,000
John
Henry Turf Championship, named in honor of the late Hall of Famer who was a
two-time winner of the Arlington Million. Santa Anita’s 1 1/4-mile test has
attracted a competitive field of 14, including the superfecta from the Del Mar
Handicap, led by Vagabond Shoes and Lucayan; multiple Grade 1 veteran Teaks
North; Tale of a Champion, who has not been seen since taking the Charlie
Whittingham; Pacific Classic runner-up Kettle Corn; and defending John Henry
champion Slim Shadey.
Indy Point, a three-time Group 1 winner in his native Argentina, impressed in
his U.S. debut in the July 24 Wickerr at Del Mar. For his Hall of Fame
connections — trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Gary Stevens — he powered
home stylishly to complete the firm-turf mile in 1:32 3/5. That effort propelled
him into favoritism for the August 17 Arlington Million, but Indy Point was
never happy and trudged home at the rear in 13th.
Since returning to Southern California, the Indygo Shiner colt has been
training forwardly for this assignment. He is proven at the trip, having landed
last year’s Jockey Club 130 Aniversario going 1 1/4 miles on the San Isidro
turf, and underlined his class when taking runner-up honors in the prestigious
Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini in his Argentine finale. Stevens should carve out
a ground-saving trip from post 4.
Vagabond Shoes had been campaigned primarily as a miler in France, where he
captured a pair of Group 3 events and just missed to the classy Byword in
another. Since joining John Sadler this season, however, the six-year-old
gelding has been unable to run up to that level at a mile in Southern California
conditions. A step up in trip has made all the difference for the son of Beat
Hollow. Second in the 1 1/8-mile Eddie Read on July 20, Vagabond Shoes enjoyed
the extra quarter-mile on offer in the August 24 Del Mar Handicap and prevailed
by a half-length from Lucayan. Vagabond Shoes, who earned an automatic berth to
the Breeders’ Cup Turf that day, trims back a furlong here but keeps Victor
Espinoza in the saddle.
Lucayan was an even more prominent French miler, thanks to his narrow score
in last year’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas).
Unplaced in his final three European outings, the Turtle Bowl colt was
dispatched to Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale and made an auspicious
California premiere when runner-up to local supremo Obviously in the May 25
American Handicap. But Lucayan disappointed in his next two, tiring to last of
five behind Obviously in the June 29 Shoemaker Mile and a belated third in an
August 1 Del Mar allowance. Like Vagabond Shoes, Lucayan profited by stretching
out markedly in distance for the 1 3/8-mile Del Mar Handicap, and he finished
with a flourish for a close second. He gets a five-pound weight concession from
Vagabond Shoes this time.
Rounding out the Del Mar ‘Cap exotics were Huntsville and Old Time Hockey in
third and fourth, respectively. Huntsville was cross-entered to the John Henry
and to the opening-day Eddie D., but after drawing widest of all in post 14
Sunday, is apparently choosing the turf sprint option on Friday. Old Time Hockey
is winless since taking the 2012 La Jolla Handicap, but represents the crafty
Tom Proctor.
Teaks North makes his first start off the claim for Eric Guillot. The
six-year-old millionaire has plenty of back class as the winner of the 2011
United Nations and Gulfstream Park Turf, and he was still in sharp form earlier
this season. Teaks North landed both the January 19 Florida Sunshine Millions
Turf and the May 15 Good Reward, beating eventual Bowling Green hero Hyper in
the latter, and finished second to Big Blue Kitten in the July 6 United Nations.
Dropped in for a $100,000 tag next time at Saratoga August 15, he wound up last
behind Slumber. Guillot haltered him as a potential Breeders’ Cup Turf
candidate, and his aspirations will be tested in this spot.
At this time last year, Tale of a Champion was fifth in the Eddie D., his
prep for an eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Although a stretch-out
didn’t immediately pay dividends for the Kristin Mulhall charge, it ultimately
did. Tale of a Champion appreciated the class relief of the March Madness
Starter Handicap to score at 1 1/8 miles, and successfully took another step up
in trip to upset the 1 1/4-mile Whittingham on June 8. He returns from a nearly
four-month holiday here.
Kettle Corn is a synthetic specialist, as exemplified by his victory in the
July 27 San Diego Handicap and his best-of-the-rest efforts behind Game on Dude
in both the July 6 Hollywood Gold Cup and the August 25 Pacific Classic at Del
Mar. But the son of Candy Ride is capable of running a solid race on turf as
well, and gives Sadler another chance along with stablemate Vagabond Shoes. The
Sadler duo, and Tale of a Champion, rank as 124-pound co-highweights.
Slim Shadey has registered all four of his U.S. wins at this course and
distance, highlighted by front-running performances in the 2012 John Henry as
well as the past two runnings of the San Marcos. The Simon Callaghan pupil has
been off form since his successful title defense back on February 9, and must
hope that a return to his pet conditions does the trick. Julien Leparoux rides
for the first time.
Code of Conduct is an intriguing new shooter to the local scene for Peter
Miller. Formerly with Wayne Catalano, the son of Tapit was a close fourth to the
highly-regarded international Dandino in the August 17 American St Leger on
Arlington Million Day.
Also notable in the field are Brazilian Group 1 scorer Holding Glory, most
recently fifth in the Pacific Classic, and the streaking Soi Phet, who could
make his stakes debut in Saturday’s Awesome Again instead.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com