Stidham looking forward to Dorsett, Willcox Inn

Trainer Mike Stidham is excited to get his promising three-year-old Dorsett

in the American Derby at Arlington Park on July 13.

After being disqualified from third to fourth in the Arlington Classic on May

25 -- a controversial decision the trainer is appealing -- the Terry

Hamilton-owned son of turf star Artie Schiller easily bested a field of eight in

a June 15 allowance.

"He's doing really well. He came out of that allowance race in good shape,

and he's improving," Stidham said. "His numbers are progressively moving forward

in slow increments. He is making steady progress, has a good foundation and is

putting good races back-to-back.

"We didn't like the idea of eight or nine weeks between (the Arlington

Classic and American Derby)," the trainer explained regarding his taking in an

allowance along the way. "We felt like why not put a race in between, since he

was still eligible for the a-other-than. Hopefully he would move forward toward

the big race (American Derby) and then take another step forward in that one."

Stidham believes the colt will hold his own in what is looking to be a tough

race. 

"My horse fits the mold. He's bred to like the distance. He's a big and

growthy, maturing three-year-old and I think he's moving forward. He's an Artie

Schiller and they love the grass, obviously. There are a lot of things that

point into the right direction. I do not think we've seen the best of him yet."

While Dorsett possibly may be a rising star in the stable, Stidham took the

time to comment on the current stable star Willcox Inn, who heads to Monmouth

Park in New Jersey to compete in the United Nations Stakes on Saturday. 

"We could have stayed here for the Arlington Handicap (July 13), but we are

trying to win a Grade 1," he commented. "For him to have any chance as a

stallion, we need to get him a Grade 1 and try to get him over a million in

earnings. Right now he has $835,000. That's our objective."

The 11-furlong U.N. would add a new dimension to Willcox Inn, in that he has

never won past 1 3/16 miles. Stidham is concerned but still optimistic on

whether he will conquer the new challenge.

"I worry about (the distance). He may be best at about a mile and an eighth,

but we don't know for sure.

"We did the same thing with Upperline. She was running mile and mile and an

eighth races -- then we stuck her in a mile and a half race at Keeneland and she

loved it. We weren't sure she could get it, but it turned out to be her best

distance," Stidham stated. 

Upperline swept both of Keeneland's 1 1/2-mile turf stakes for distaffers in

2012, the Bewitch during the spring meet and the Dowager in the fall.

Assistant trainer and Willcox Inn's exercise rider Hilary Pridham expressed

more conviction.

"I think he'll get the distance. He's older and more relaxed. Now, he'll

break off in :38 and then finish like a freight train," she explained. "I think

he'll like it."

Willcox Inn is exiting a half-length loss in the Dixie Stakes on Preakness

Day in which he resolutely attempted to run down Calumet Farm's

loose-on-the-lead winner Skyring. 

"It was sad to lose the other day. The bias (toward speed) was in the other

horse's favor. I think we were the best horse." 

Team Stidham and Willcox Inn will get a chance to avenge that defeat, as

Skyring will line up in the U.N., as well. 

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com