Sparky Ville trying turf in Eddie Logan

ARCADIA, Calif. – The defection of Flying Scotsman from the $75,000 Eddie Logan Stakes on Friday at Santa Anita changed the turf mile from foregone conclusion to utter conundrum.

The scratch of California’s top 2-year-old grass horse leaves nine runners in the Logan, and even the trainer of the potential favorite, Sparky Ville, stops short of total endorsement. After all, Sparky Ville has never raced two turns, nor on turf.

“Any time you try something new, there’s [uncertainty],” trainer Jeff Bonde said. “But we’re hopeful he’s going to do well. He rates real well, so I think he can get a little farther.”

The most important factor – raw ability – is not an issue for Sparky Ville. The fastest entrant based on his dirt-sprint figures, he also is the field’s lone stakes winner. His main rivals include stakes-placed Rijeka, allowance winner More Ice, and recent maiden winner Bob and Jackie.

Retired jockey Gary Stevens scored his final stakes win and had his final mount on Sparky Ville. He rode him to victory in the Sunny Slope Stakes in October and was third on him in the Grade 3 Bob Hope at Del Mar in his career finale. Stevens believes one mile on turf is fine for the gelding.

“He should handle it,” Stevens said. “He’s a cool little horse.”

Sparky Ville is likely to be forwardly placed, stretching out from sprints.

Meanwhile, trainer Richard Baltas entered two contenders with complementary styles.

“I have one from the front, and one from the back,” Baltas said, referring to front-running maiden winner Bob and Jackie and Grade 3-placed closer Rijeka.

Rijeka, runner-up by more than four lengths to Flying Scotsman in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille, could vie for favoritism along with Sparky Ville. Bob and Jackie is taking a big class hike from a second-start maiden win. The fifth- and ninth-place finishers returned to win.

The others in the field are Manhattan Up, The Creep, Swamp Souffle, Neptune’s Storm, and Weekly Call.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sparky Ville, by Candy Ride Last 3 Beyers: 83-83-61

◗ He was gelded prior to winning the Sunny Slope Stakes.

◗ His third in the Bob Hope was possibly better than it looked because he was carried wide on the turn.

◗ Bonde said he used longer gallops to prepare 2-for-6 Sparky Ville for the Eddie Logan. “He’s doing well, and it’s a progression to inch him out a little farther.”

◗ Kent Desormeaux rides Sparky Ville.

Rijeka, by Roderic O’Connor Last 3 Beyers: 82-75-51

◗ Joel Rosario takes over on the improving Irish import. He won his U.S. debut in a maiden race, misfired in his next start, then finished third the Zuma Beach Stakes and second in the Cecil B. DeMille.

More Ice, by More Than Ready Last 3 Beyers: 75-61-66

◗ A Jerry Hollendorfertrained stablemate of Flying Scotsman, More Ice won a firstlevel allowance last out.

“We’re happy with his progression,” Hollendorfer said. “He has shown us a lot more than he did in the beginning.”