Stilleto Boy looking strong for Big ’Cap
Trainer Ed Moger Jr. gave a glowing report on Stilleto Boy 48 hours from Saturday’s 86th running of the $500,000 Grade I
Big ‘Cap at Santa Anita.
“He’s doing great. He’s been training awesome,” Moger told the Southern California News Group. “He went to the Pegasus
(at Gulfstream Park) and it was actually kind of hard on him, but he actually came out of it great. He’s got good weight on him. He’s ready to roll. He looks like a million bucks. He’s ready to run.”
If that’s the case, the other 10 horses in the Big ‘Cap might be in a little bit of trouble. Stilleto Boy might not be the best horse in the race, but the fields he’s run against have been mostly top notch.
Consider: In last year’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, Stilleto Boy finished third behind a couple of horses you might have heard of — Life Is Good and Knicks Go.
“The only horses that have beaten him are great horses,” Moger said. “Life Is Good, Flightline, Knicks Go ... those are the horses that have beaten him. Country Grammer. Those are the only horses that have ever beaten him. No slouch horses on the list.”
This year, the 5-year-old gelded son of Shackleford finished third in the Pegasus behind Art Collector and Defunded, the latter which is also running in Saturday’s Big ‘Cap. The race drew its largest field since 13 went postward in the 2015 running when
Stilleto Boy has finished in the money in five of his six races at Santa Anita going into Saturday’s Big ’Cap.
the late Shared Belief won the race.
Moger believes both runnings of the Pegasus were the best races Stilleto Boy has run since his brother, Steve, bought him for $420,000 at a horse sale shortly after he won the Iowa Derby in 2021.
“I think they were both really good,” he said.
This year, Stilleto Boy broke from the 11th post in a 12-horse field, severely hindering his chances for victory with Mike Smith aboard. But the thirdplace finish this year raised his career earnings to $1.4 million, the top figure among the Big ‘Cap starters. He also recorded the fastest Beyer Speed Figure of the group with a 108 while winning last year’s Californian Stakes at Santa Anita.
Moger, based in Northern California, believes Stilleto Boy is as good as ever. He believes in the theory that horses get better as they age.
“I think they get better if they’re taken care of when they’re younger,” he said. “If everything goes good and they stay sound, I think age 5 is probably their best year.”
Stilleto Boy has finished in the money in five of his six races at Santa Anita, showing he has a fondness for the surface.
“I think he likes it because he shows some tactical speed,” Moger said.
“It seems like that’s pretty good at Santa Anita. Closers don’t do that well at Santa Anita. In the back of my mind I think it’s one of the easier fields he’s been with, but I think it’s gonna be plenty tough.”
Tough enough that Defunded is the 7-2 favorite on Jon White’s morning line, followed by a pair of shippers — last year’s Big ‘Cap runner-up Warrant and Proxy, both listed at 4-1. Stilleto Boy is 5-1and Newgrange is fifth at 6-1.
A “real character” around the barn and “nice to be around,” Moger said Stilleto Boy will continue to run until he shows he’s had enough.
“As long as he’s healthy and he likes it, we’ll keep going,” Moger said.
Kent Desormeaux, who’s won the Big ‘Cap twice with Milwaukee Brew in 2002 and Best Pal in 1992, has the mount Saturday on Stilleto Boy for the first time since the 2021 Malibu Stakes when he finished a distant third in one of Flightline’s six career victories.
“Kent loves the horse and I think he fits him well,” Moger said.
BASEBALL
Major League Baseball American League KANSAS CITY ROYALS:
Agreed to terms with CF Jackie Bradley Jr. on a minor league contract.
Minor League Baseball Atlantic League
LONG ISLAND DUCKS:
Hayes.
Frontier League EMPIRE STATE GREYS:
Sandberg.
QUEBEC CAPITALES:
Traded INF Josh Sears to Empire State.
BASKETBALL
National Basketball Association
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Signed G Lester Quinones to a 10-day contract.
Signed F Jay Huff to a two-way contract.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS:
HOCKEY
National Hockey League ANAHEIM DUCKS:
Acquired F Dylan Sikura from Chicago in exchange for F Maxim Golod.
ARIZONA COYOTES:
Acquired a 2023 sixth-round draft pick and F Jakub Voracek from Columbus in exchange for G Jon Gillies. Acquired a 2023 third-round draft pick and D Michael Kesselring from Edmonton in exchange for F Nick Bjustad and D Cam Dineen.
BOSTON BRUINS: Signed RW David Pastrnak to an eight-year contract extension. Recalled C Jakub Lauko from Providence (AHL). Acquired LW Tyler Bertuzzi from Detroit in exchange for a 2024 first-round draft pick and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick.
Traded F Anders Bjork to Chicago in exchange for future considerations. Activated D Riley Stillman from injured reserve. Placed D Rasmus Dahlin on injured reserve.
Recalled F Lukas Reichel from Rockford (AHL).
Acquired a
2024 first-round draft pick and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick from Boston in exchange for LW Tyler Bertuzzi. Recalled LW Adam Erne from Grand Rapids (AHL).
Placed G Evan Fitzpatric and G Jean-Francois Berube on waivers. Reassigned LW Grigori Denisenko to Charlotte (AHL).
Signed C Hunter Haight to a three-year, entry-level contract.
BUFFALO SABRES:
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS:
DETROIT RED WINGS:
FLORIDA PANTHERS:
MINNESOTA WILD:
NASHVILLE PREDATORS:
Recalled F Luke Evangelista, C Mark Jankowski and LW John Leonard from Milwaukee (AHL).
Returned D Jacob Larsson to Belleville (AHL).
Returned LW Elliot Desnoyers and RW Olle Lycksell to Lehigh Valley (AHL).
Signed LW Sammy Blais to a one-year contract.
Placed D Derrick Pouliot on waivers.
OTTAWA SENATORS:
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS:
ST. LOUIS BLUES:
SAN JOSE SHARKS:
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING:
Recalled D Darren Raddysh from Syracuse (AHL).
Activated C Curtis Lazar from injured reserve.
Acquired G Jonathan Quick from Columbus in exchange for G Michael Hutchinson and a 2025 seventh-round draft pick.
Signed F Ethen Frank to a one-year, two-way contract.
Recalled LW Axel Jonsson-Fjallby from Manitoba (AHL).
VANCOUVER CANUCKS:
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS:
WASHINGTON CAPITALS:
WINNIPEG JETS:
SOCCER
Major League Soccer D.C. UNITED:
Signed M Yamil Asad to a one-year contract.
Acquired D Dany Rosero from Atletico Junior (Columbian side), pending receipt of his international transfer certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa.
SPORTING KC:
Signed RHP Reed
Signed RHP Ryan
SPRING TRAINING
Thursday’s results
Kansas City 8, Angels 4
Arizona 5, Dodgers 5
Boston 15, Philadelphia 3 Houston 6, St. Louis 0
Miami 5, Washington 5 Minnesota 4, Tampa Bay 2
N.Y. Yankees 9, Pittsburgh (ss) 1 Detroit 10, Baltimore 3 Pittsburgh (ss) 2, Toronto 2 Atlanta 6, N.Y. Mets 2
Chicago Cubs 6, Oakland 1 Cleveland 4, San Francisco 3 Chicago White Sox 6, Colorado 4 Seattle 5, San Diego 4
Texas 7, Milwaukee 4
Friday’s games
Atlanta vs. Houston at Palm Beach, Florida, 10:05 a.m.
Boston vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Florida, 10:05 a.m.
Miami vs. St. Louis at Sarasota, Florida, 10:05 a.m.
Detroit (ss) vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, Florida, 10:05 a.m.
Tampa Bay vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Florida, 10:07 a.m.
Washington vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, Florida, 10:10 a.m.
Cincinnati vs. Chicago White Sox at Phoenix, Arizona, 12:05 p.m.
Colorado vs. San Francisco (ss) at Scottsdale, Arizona, 12:05 p.m.
Kansas City vs. Oakland at Mesa, Arizona, 12:05 p.m.
Milwaukee vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Arizona, 12:05 p.m.
San Francisco (ss) vs. Texas at Surprise, Arizona, 12:05 p.m.
Dodgers vs. Angels at Tempe, Arizona, 12:10 p.m.
Seattle vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Arizona, 12:10 p.m.
Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Florida, 3:05 p.m.
Detroit (ss) vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Florida, 3:35 p.m.
Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego at Peoria, Arizona, 5:40 p.m.
PGA TOUR ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL
At Bay Hill Club Orlando, Fla. Purse:
Yardage:
First round
Jon Rahm ................................... 34-31—65 -7 Chris Kirk .................................. 33-34—67 -5 Kurt Kitayama ......................... 35-32—67 -5 Cameron Young ....................... 36-31—67 -5 Keegan Bradley ....................... 34-34—68 -4 Patrick Cantlay ........................ 35-33—68 -4 Rickie Fowler ........................... 35-33—68 -4 Aaron Rai .................................. 36-32—68 -4 Xander Schauffele .................. 35-33—68 -4 Scottie Scheffler ..................... 34-34—68 -4 Adam Schenk ........................... 34-34—68 -4 Jordan Spieth ........................... 36-32—68 -4 Thomas Detry .......................... 33-36—69 -3 Harris English .......................... 33-36—69 -3 Ben Griffin ................................ 35-34—69 -3 Francesco Molinari ................. 36-33—69 -3 Trey Mullinax ........................... 35-34—69 -3 Andrew Putnam ...................... 35-34—69 -3 Adam Scott .............................. 36-33—69 -3 Justin Suh ................................. 36-33—69 -3 Nick Taylor ............................... 34-35—69 -3 Kyle Westmoreland ................ 33-36—69 -3 Ludvig Aberg ............................ 39-31—70 -2 Wyndham Clark ........................ 35-35—70 -2 Tony Finau ................................. 37-33—70 -2 Matt Fitzpatrick ....................... 35-35—70 -2 Emiliano Grillo .......................... 38-32—70 -2 Max Homa ................................. 36-34—70 -2 Patton Kizzire ........................... 38-32—70 -2 Kyoung-Hoon Lee ..................... 34-36—70 -2 Davis Riley ................................. 38-32—70 -2 Robby Shelton .......................... 38-32—70 -2 Sepp Straka ............................... 34-36—70 -2 Danny Willett ............................ 37-33—70 -2 Cameron Davis ......................... 37-34—71 -1 Jason Day .................................. 35-36—71 -1 Luke Donald .............................. 35-36—71 -1 Cole Hammer ............................ 38-33—71 -1 Tyrrell Hatton ........................... 37-34—71 -1 Russell Henley .......................... 36-35—71 -1 Viktor Hovland ......................... 36-35—71 -1 Sungjae Im ................................ 36-35—71 -1 Si Woo Kim ................................ 36-35—71 -1 Martin Laird .............................. 35-36—71 -1 Peter Malnati ............................ 37-34—71 -1 Hideki Matsuyama ................... 38-33—71 -1 Matthew NeSmith .................... 37-34—71 -1 Ryan Palmer .............................. 36-35—71 -1 Greyson Sigg ............................. 35-36—71 -1
Also
$20 million
7,466;
Par:
Rory McIlroy ........................... 38-35—73 +1 Collin Morikawa ...................... 37-37—74 +2
PGA TOUR - PUERTO RICO OPEN
At Grand Reserve Country Club Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Purse:
Yardage:
First round
$3.8 million
7,506;
Par:
72
72
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
College Basketball
Favorite
at Mercer Toledo at Kent St at Buffalo at W Michigan at Tulane Dayton at Denver at Chattanooga at Sam Houston at Ohio at Utah Valley at Utah Tech at S Utah at UMKC at Seattle U New Mexico
NBA
Favorite
Minnesota at Sacramento Orlando at Boston at Atlanta at Okla. City New York Phoenix at Denver at Golden St
NHL
Favorite
Line
6 31⁄2 4 81⁄2 4 111⁄2 1 PK 11 9 10 7 PK 7
1 51⁄2 1
Citadel at Ball St
Akron Miami (OH) C Michigan E Carolina at St. Louis N Dakota
VMI Abilene Christian Bowling Green
SFA Grand Canyon Cal Baptist
Omaha UT Arlington at Colorado St.
Line (O/U)
2 (229)
Off (Off) 4 (Off)
101⁄2 (228) 61⁄2 (236) Off (Off) 11⁄2 (217) 6 (Off)
51⁄2 (2351⁄2) Off (Off)
Line
Underdog
Underdog
at Lakers Clippers at Charlotte Brooklyn Portland
Utah at Miami at Chicago
Memphis New Orleans
Underdog
at Ducks -134/+112 Montreal Seattle -170/+140 at Columbus at Edmonton -162/+134 Winnipeg Carolina -350/+275 at Arizona New Jersey -111/-108 at Vegas For the latest odds, go to FanDuel Sportsbook, https://sportsbook. fanduel.com/
At Club Deportivo Universidad Catolica Santiago, Chile
Purse:
Surface:
$642,735
Red clay
MEN’S SINGLES
Round of 16
Dusan Lajovic, Serbia, def. Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Argentina, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (2). Laslo Djere (6), Serbia, def. Riccardo Bonadio, Italy, 7-5, 7-5. Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Argentina, def. Francisco Cerundolo (2), Argentina, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Sebastian Baez (3), Argentina, def. Cristian Garin, Chile, 6-4, 6-3.
MEN’S DOUBLES
Quarterfinals
Andrea Pellegrino and Andrea Vavassori, Italy, def. Ariel Behar, Uruguay, and Nicolas Barrientos (3), Colombia,
7-6 (12), 6-3. Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar, Spain, def. Nikola Cacic, Serbia, and Francisco Cabral (4), Portugal, 6-4, 6-4. Thiago Seyboth Wild, Brazil, and Matias Soto, Chile, def. N. Sriram Balaji and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, India, 3-6, 6-1, 10-4. Alejandro Tabilo and Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera, Chile, def. Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni (1), Argentina, 6-1, 3-6, 10-7.
At Westwood Country Club, Austin, TX Purse:
Surface:
$259,303
Hardcourt outdoor
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Round of 16
Anna-Lena Friedsam, Germany, def. Erika Andreeva, Russia, 7-5, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (8). Marta Kostyuk (8), Ukraine, def. Madison Brengle, United States, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. Danielle Collins (4), United States, def. Caty McNally, United States, 6-1,
6-1. Anna Kalinskaya, Russia, def. CoCo Vandeweghe, United States, 6-3, 6-1.
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Quarterfinals
Nadiia Kichenok, Ukraine, and AnnaLena Friedsam (3), Germany, def. Sloane Stephens and Alycia Parks, United States, 6-4, 6-3.