Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Inscom gets third crack at rival in Eddie Logan Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – Inscom has a score to settle with the Pubilius Syrus, who has beaten him twice already and is the likely favorite when the 2-yearold turf colts meet Friday in the $75,000 Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita.
Maybe the third time will be the charm for Inscom, whose trainer, Simon Callaghan, believes was compromised last out when he finished fifth in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille at Del Mar, won by Analyze It.
“I’m not saying he would have beaten the winner, but there were a couple of different things,” Callaghan said.
Inscom lost a front shoe and had an uneasy trip on a turf course he might not like as well as Santa Anita’s, followed by an unfavorable post-race endoscopic exam.
If those obstacles are resolved Friday, Inscom could upset Pubilius Syrus in the Eddie Logan Stakes, a mile turf race that is easier than the race they exit.
The field does not include East Coast-based Analyze It, who crushed Pubilius Syrus and Inscom last month in the Cecil B. DeMille. Trainer Vladimir Cerin was almost satisfied with the runner-up finish by Pubilius Syrus.
“I thought it was a pretty good race, and if the winner hadn’t been there, I would have been really impressed,” Cerin said.
The others in the Logan are Ayacara, stakes-placed on synthetic and making his first start on turf; Choo Choo, an improving colt with a pedigree that suggests dirt is in his future; and outsiders Magic Musketier, East Rand, Hardboot, and Blended Citizen.
The Logan is the last turf route stakes at Santa Anita for the division (3-year-olds of 2018) until March, but there are plenty of main-track options for Choo Choo, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and assistant Dan Ward.
Choo Choo finished fourth in
the Cecil B. DeMille and could switch to the main track this winter.
“He’s a brother to Blueskiesnrainbows, so we’re really looking forward to giving him a shot on the dirt,” Ward said.
Hollendorfer-trained Blueskiesnrainbows won the Grade 2 San Pasqual on dirt at Santa Anita and $100,000 Ralph M. Hinds Handicap on dirt at Fairplex Park.
A curious aspect of the Logan is a lack of speed. The role of pacesetter is up for grabs.
The Logan is race 5 on an eight-race card that includes a traditional pick six carryover of $95,856 on races 3-8 and a Super High Five carryover of $28,818 into race 1.
KEY CONTENDERS
Pubilius Syrus, by Candy Ride Last 3 Beyers: 84-77-76
◗ Each start by Pubilius Syrus has been better than the one before. He finished a nose in front of Inscom two back, more than two lengths in front of that rival last out.
◗ Cerin has tabled the idea of trying Pubilius Syrus on dirt.
“His pedigree says he should be as good on dirt, and you want to try it, but he just doesn’t seem like he handles dirt that well” in workouts, Cerin said.
◗ Kent Desormeaux rides.
Inscom, by Distorted Humor Last 3 Beyers: 80-74-77
◗ Callaghan believes Inscom benefits from a switch to Santa Anita turf, which he thinks Inscom handles better than the turf at Del Mar. Inscom has a win and a second at Santa Anita.
◗ Inscom “didn’t scope perfectly” after his last start, Callaghan said.
“We’re tweaking a few things,” he said. “I think you’re going to see a truer reflection” of his ability.
◗ Flavien Prat, who also has ridden Ayacara and Choo Choo, sticks with Inscom.
Choo Choo, by English Channel Last 3 Beyers: 80-70-63
◗ Mike Smith takes over on Choo Choo, who was positioned farther off the pace than expected when fourth in the Cecil B. DeMille.
Ayacara, by Violence Last 3 Beyers: 67-81-73
◗ He finished second last out in the Gold Rush Stakes, a onemile race on synthetic at Golden Gate Fields.
◗ Corey Nakatani rides.