Stakes winners Cat Burglar, Dalmore try to end droughts

ARCADIA, Calif. – Cat Burglar and Dalmore, stakes winners in 2016, have been on the same career path in the last seven months.

After failing to win stakes in early 2017, they were turned out for the year following losses at Del Mar in late July. Rested through the fall, Cat Burglar and Dalmore meet for the first time Thursday at Santa Anita in an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option at 1 1/16 miles.

Cat Burglar was a well-beaten third by Accelerate in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 22 in his most recent start. Dalmore was last of seven in the restricted Wickerr Stakes on turf at Del Mar a day later.

They are part of a field of six Thursday that includes Hot Sean, winner of an optional claimer here Jan. 15; Infobedad, who was second in the Grade 2 Marathon Stakes at Del Mar in November; and the stakes winners Seattle Serenade and Dressed in Hermes.

KEY CONTENDERS

Dalmore, by Colonel John Last 3 Beyers: 80-85-87

◗ Dalmore is winless in eight starts since taking the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds here in July 2016. The losing streak includes a second in the Grade 2 Super Derby that year and a third in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes on Jan. 1, 2017.

◗ Since his return to training, Dalmore has impressed trainer Keith Desormeaux with his workouts, including two sixfurlong drills from the gate.

“He did it with strength in the stretch,” Desormeaux said. “He’s ready.”

◗ Last summer, Dalmore was turned out after several poor performances in stakes at Santa Anita, Oaklawn Park, Golden Gate Fields, and Del Mar.

“He hadn’t had a break since he was 2,” Desormeaux said. “We did the right thing. He’s good now. Hopefully, the time off did the trick.”

◗ Dalmore has won 3 of 19 starts for a partnership that includes Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners, and Rocker O Ranch. Desormeaux’s brother Kent has the mount.

Cat Burglar, by Unbridled’s Song Last 3 Beyers: 92-89-90

◗ The senior member of the field as an 8-year-old, Cat Burglar has won 6 of 20 starts and earned $521,500, all for Michael Lund Petersen and trainer Bob Baffert.

◗ Cat Burglar, who won the Santana Mile here in April 2016, is likely to race near the front under jockey Flavien Prat. Baffert said Sunday that he would have preferred a one-turn race for Cat Burglar’s comeback.

“I wanted to go seven-eighths, but it’s hard to get those races to go,” he said.

Hot Sean, by Flatter Last 3 Beyers: 97-96-84

◗ Hot Sean, who drew the rail, is likely to show speed. The 4-year-old colt won an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 15 by dueling for the lead from the inside. Trained by Baffert, Hot Sean may face a similar scenario against a tougher field Thursday.