Dangerfield needs to make impression

CYPRESS, Calif. – Last December, Dangerfield finished third in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity behind Mastery and Irap in what has become a productive race.

Mastery won the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes in March in his final career start. Irap has won three graded stakes this year. Meanwhile, Dangerfield is winless in two starts since the Los Alamitos Futurity, but could achieve some measure of success in an optional claimer at Los Alamitos on Sunday.

Trained by Doug O’Neill, Dangerfield was fifth in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes in February and ninth in an optional claimer at six furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 19. O’Neill said Dangerfield was body sore after the Lewis and that the recent optional claimer was too short. Redemption could come in Sunday’s race at a mile.

“We were in dire need of going farther,” O’Neill said. “He’s only 3 and he’s got the pedigree and the talent.”

Dangerfield is part of a field of eight on Sunday. Dangerfield faces Americanize, who was second in the optional claimer on Aug. 19; Shackleford Banks, the winner of a $32,000 claimer at Del Mar on Aug. 27; and Leading Score, who has not raced since finishing third in an optional claimer at Santa Anita in June.

KEY CONTENDERS

Dangerfield, by Into Mischief Last 3 Beyers: 70-76-71

◗ Prior to the Los Alamitos Futurity, Dangerfield was third behind Gunnevera in the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes in Louisiana last November. Gunnevera has won two stakes this year and was second in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26.

◗ O’Neill admits Dangerfield is running out of time to make an impression this year.

“His sole win was around two turns and we’re expecting to see that kind of effort,” he said.

◗ O’Neill said Dangerfield benefited from a break between February and August.

“He wasn’t himself,” he said. “We gave him some time to grow up.”

Americanize, by Concord Point Last 3 Beyers: 90-84-NA

◗ Sunday’s race will be a distance test for Americanize, who has never run beyond seven furlongs. Trained by Simon Callaghan, Americanize set the pace Aug. 19 and was beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Edwards Going Left.

◗ Americanize, whose only win in six starts was a maiden race at six furlongs at Los Alamitos last December, is likely to set the pace.

Shackleford Banks, by Offlee Wild Last 3 Beyers: 85-79-74

◗ Shackleford Banks had a busy Del Mar, winning 2 of 4 starts, all in claiming races. The move to an optional claimer is a jump in class. Shackleford Banks is entered to be claimed for $40,000.

“It might be a little tough for him, but he’s in good form,” Miller said.