Galilean following big footsteps

ARCADIA, Calif. – At least for the winter, Galilean is on the California Chrome career path, continuing with Monday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita.

California Chrome won the King Glorious Stakes at Hollywood Park in December 2013 and won his 2014 debut in the California Cup Derby at Santa Anita a month later. Later that year he won the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Stakes, and was named the 2014 Horse of the Year.

Galilean won the King Glorious Stakes at a mile by nine lengths over five overmatched statebred opponents at Los Alamitos on Dec. 16 in his final start at 2. The 1 1/16-mile California Cup Derby, also for California-breds, will be Galilean’s first start at 3, and a big win is certain to lead to a start in a Triple Crown prep.

“This is the time of year all the 3-year-olds are getting tested,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Saturday.

“You’re hoping that you’re going to progress. We’re thinking the same thing about Galilean. Maybe he can take another step.”

Galilean is the only stakes winner in a field of five in the California Cup Derby, the fourth race on a nine-race program.

Whooping Jay was second in the Speakeasy Stakes at five furlongs on turf in October. Irish Heatwave was fourth in the California Cup Turf Sprint for statebreds on the hillside course on Jan. 26. Feeling Strong was third, beaten 12 lengths, by Galilean in the King Glorious. The California Cup Derby will be the stakes debut for Loud Mouth, also trained by Hollendorfer.

KEY CONTENDERS

Galilean, by Uncle Mo Last 3 Beyers: 88-89-82

◗ Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Denise Barker and William Sandbrook, Galilean was purchased for $600,000 at the Barretts spring sale of 2-year-olds in training at Del Mar last April, the most expensive horse of the sale.

◗ Galilean has won 2 of 3 starts, all in stakes, with his lone defeat a second by a neck to Cruel Intention in the Golden State Juvenile going seven furlongs at Santa Anita last November. In each race, Galilean has led or disputed the pace. Hollendorfer said the colt can be patient, if necessary.

“I think our horse has speed and we think he can rate,” he said.

Galilean, who will be ridden by Flavien Prat, has worked quickly in recent weeks, including six furlongs in 1:12.80 at Santa Anita on Feb. 7.

“He’s handled himself very well,” Hollendorfer said.

Irish Heatwave, by Unusual Heat Last 3 Beyers: 77-80-60

◗ Irish Heatwave closed from sixth and was beaten two lengths by Listing in the California Cup Turf Sprint. Last November, Irish Heatwave won a maiden special weight race at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

◗ Trained by Keith Desormeaux, Irish Heatwave is the only runner in the California Cup Derby other than Galilean with a win around two turns.