Big expectations for Galilean

CYPRESS, Calif. – Based on afternoon performance, the sharp maiden-race winner Seven Scents will be tough to beat Saturday in the $100,000 Barretts Juvenile Stakes at Los Alamitos. Based on auction price and morning workouts, the $600,000 first-time starter Galilean will be tough to beat in the same race.

“It’s maybe a little ambitious to go in a stakes race,” Galilean’s trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, said. “He’s been working fast, so we’ll see.”

Ambitious, yes. Irrational, no. Galilean was made the 2-1 favorite by linemaker Russ Hudak as he tries to become the first horse to win the Barretts Juvenile in his career debut. Seven Scents is 5-2, and blinkers-on maiden My Mandate is 3-1.

Six 2-year-olds entered the 6 1/2-furlong stakes, including upset candidate Our Silver Oak, Big Impression, and Kid Koil. The Barretts is restricted to horses offered at a Barretts auction.

Galilean and Seven Scents went through the spring sale. Galilean previewed in 21.20 seconds for a quarter-mile and sold to West Point Thoroughbreds and partners for $600,000. Seven Scents was a relative bargain buy at $40,000 by Six-S Racing and partners. Craig Lewis is his trainer.

“I’m hoping lightning strikes twice,” Lewis said. “I won this race with Clubhouse Ride and paid $22,000 [at Barretts] for him.”

Clubhouse Ride earned $1.3 million before he retired to stud; Seven Scents is just starting out. He put it all together in his third start Sept. 6 at Los Alamitos with a sharp maiden win at a mile.

My Mandate adds blinkers after a promising runner-up debut. Our Silver Oak won his debut in July at Los Alamitos and misfired second time out at Del Mar.

KEY CONTENDERS

Seven Scents, by Goldencents Last 3 Beyers: 77-52-61

◗ He worked three furlongs eight days after his maiden win. “We just let him stretch his legs, sharpen him up a little,” Lewis said. “He’s pretty handy.”

◗ Geovanni Franco is his rider.

Galilean, by Uncle Mo

◗ His sales price topped the spring sale, for good reason, according to Hollendorfer. “He was bought for a considerable amount of money, and the reason is because he worked fast and looks real good,” he said. “He’s a real good-looking colt.”

◗ Drayden Van Dyke rides Galilean, who reportedly has outworked older horses in company at Los Alamitos.

My Mandate, by Strong Mandate Beyer: 62

◗ His runner-up debut was solid, and trainer Mark Glatt expects better on Saturday. “I think he’ll improve second start,” he said.

◗ He adds blinkers. “He looked at the horse to his inside in his first race,” Glatt said. “I don’t want him to make a mistake. We’ll see if he can take another step forward.”

◗ Evin Roman is his rider.

Our Silver Oak, by Unusual Heat Beyers: 51-66

◗ His debut in July at Los Alamitos was impressive, but he misfired as the favorite in a California-bred stakes second time out.

◗ Bill Morey trains, and Stewart Elliott rides.