Bal a Bali, Bolo, and Om Knock Heads in Kilroe Mile

Top turf horses Bolo, Bal a Bali and Om headline a field of seven older horses in Saturday’s Grade I, $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (turf) at Santa Anita.  Named for the late Frank E. (Jimmy) Kilroe, Santa Anita’s innovative, longtime Director of Racing, the Kilroe will be run for the 57^th time on Saturday.

BOLO:  Idle since July 4, trainer Carla Gaines’ star student on turf unfurled a career-best effort in winning the Grade II, one mile turf Arcadia Stakes Feb. 13.  Although favored Obviously shook loose around the far turn and the Arcadia appeared a fait accompli, Bolo kept to his task under Flavien Prat to win going away.  A 4-year-old colt by the Dynaformer stallion, Temple City, Bolo, who was third in last year’s Grade I Santa Anita Derby, is a perfect three for three over the Santa Anita turf.  Owned by Golden Pegasus Racing and Earle I, Mack, LLC, he has four wins from nine overall starts and is likely being pointed to the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Mile here at Santa Anita in November.  With Prat committed to ride Bal a Bali, Mike Smith, who guided him to a pair of wins as a 2-year-old, will take over on Saturday.

BAL A BALI:  Trained by Richard Mandella, this 6-year-old Brazilian-bred horse cuts back a furlong in distance off of a sharp third in the Grade II, 1 1/8 miles turf San Gabriel Stakes Jan 2.  Best suited at the Kilroe distance, he’s six for nine at one mile on grass.  A multiple Group I winner in Brazil, Bal a Bali, who was ridden by Flavien Prat, was an impressive winner of his U.S. debut in the Grade III, one mile turf American Stakes here on May 9, 2015.  Owned by Fox Hill Farms, Inc. and Siena Farms, LLC, Bal a Bali has 13 wins from 18 overall starts.

OM:  Trained by Dan Hendricks and owned by the Sareen Family Trust, Om was an impressive winner over the course of the Grade II Mathis Brothers Mile on Dec. 26, but never threatened when third, beaten three lengths, in the Grade II, one mile turf Arcadia Stakes on Feb. 13.  Blessed with an abundance of natural speed, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Munnings is two for three at a mile on grass and has three wins from four tries over the Santa Anita turf.

THE GRADE I FRANK E. KILROE MILE FIELD IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 6                       Approximate post time, 2:30 p.m. PT

1.     Om                                   Gary Stevens                       

2.     What a View                  Kent Desormeaux              

3.     Bal a Bali                         Flavien Prat                          

4.     Bolo                                  Mike Smith                           

5.     Kenjisstorm                    Edwin Maldonado             

6.     Midnight Storm            Victor Espinoza                   

7.     De Treville                      Tyler Baze                             

Source: Santa Anita Park