Robert B. & Beverly J. Lewis’ GOING WILD (Golden Missile) took the lead soon
after the start of Saturday’s $102,300
Sham S. at Santa Anita and held for a
length victory in the nine-furlong test. Ridden by Victor Espinoza, the D. Wayne
Lukas-trained sophomore set splits of :23, :46 4/5, 1:10 3/5 and 1:36 1/5 before
completing the fast track event in 1:50.
“(Going Wild’s) pedigree does not dictate six, seven furlongs,” Lukas said.
“It’s full of distance horses, mile-and-a-half, mile-and-a-quarter horses,
so we might have a talented horse here that can get two turns. He should be able
to build off of that and get better.”
Going Wild was sent off the 5-1 second pick in the nine-horse field and
returned $12.20, $8 and $4.20 to his supporters. Papi Chullo (Comeonmom), who
was off at 8-1, came with a game run down the stretch but could never catch
the winner, paying $12.60 and $5.40 after holding second by a neck over 7-5
favorite Giacomo (Holy Bull). The $1 exacta gave back $49.30, the $1 trifecta
was worth $133.80 and the $1 superfecta (9-1-10-3) paid $914.10.
Uncle Denny (In Excess [Ire]) followed by another half-length back in fourth
and next came Chekhov (Pulpit), Salty Humor (Distorted Humor), Southern Africa
(Cape Town), Cadillac Cruiser (Touch Gold) and Devil’s Bay (Devil His Due).
General John B (Sweetsouthernsaint) and Iced Out (Comic Strip) were scratched.
Going Wild has now earned two stakes in 2005, scoring in the San Miguel S.
prior to Saturday’s event. His record currently reads 6-3-2-1 with $172,420 in
lifetime earnings. Lukas indicated the March 5 Santa Catalina S. (G2) as Going
Wild’s next stop and said he would probably give the colt two more starts before the
Kentucky Derby (G1).