Big Scott Daddy trying turf in Santa Anita's Pasadena Stakes
Trainer Doug O’Neill’s speedy Stubbins, who will be trying two turns for the first time, Mike Puype’s Big Scott Daddy and Jerry Hollendorfer’s Shining Through head a wide-open field of nine sophomores going one mile on turf in Saturday’s $100,000 Pasadena Stakes at Santa Anita.
A sharp recent allowance winner going 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course, Stubbins could have theft on his mind with Tyler Baze aboard on Saturday, while Big Scott Daddy, recently a respectable third behind highly regarded Derby hopeful Extra Hope, will try turf for the first time and retains the services of Mike Smith.
Shining Through, a $200,000 2-year-old in training sale purchase, comes off a maiden special weight win going a mile on turf at even money and should be plenty tough with Flavien Prat aboard for what will be his sixth career start.
Owner: McShane Racing, LLC
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
A gutty nose maiden winner going 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course two starts back on Jan. 5, this Kentucky-bred colt by the Tiznow stallion Morning Line seeks his third win in a row as he goes a distance of ground for the first time. With Rafael Bejarano sidelined this weekend due to a tonsillectomy, Tyler Baze will ride for the first time. Never worse than third in four starts, Stubbins, a $130,000 Ocala Breeders 2-year-old in Training Sale purchase in March, 2018, has earnings of $86,400.
Owner: Paymaster Racing, LLC & Slugo Racing
Trainer: Mike Puype
A half-length first out maiden winner going 6 ½ furlongs on dirt here Dec. 26, this promising colt by Scat Daddy was off at 3-1 in a field of seven going a mile on a sloppy track Jan. 31, a race in which Smith appeared to take hold late as the Richard Mandella-trained Extra Hope marched to an impressive 4 ¾-length first condition allowance win. Out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Last Song, Big Scott Daddy is precocious and well-bred as he tries turf for the first time in his third start. Triple Crown-nominated, he was purchased for $140,000 at a 2-year-old in training sale.
Owner: Michael C. Stinson
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Even money in his last two starts, this Malibu Moon colt broke his maiden going a mile on turf here by a half length in what was his fifth start. Vastly improved since Hollendorfer put him on grass three starts back, Shining Through would be flattered by a fast pace, which Big Scott Daddy could well ensure. In the money in three consecutive turf routes, Shining Through rates a big look in his first start with winners.
THE PASADENA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 6 of 10; pproximate post time 2:55 p.m. PT
1. Stubbins—Tyler Baze--120
2. Much Better—Joe Talamo--120
3. Eagle Song—Drayden Van Dyke—120
4. Colonial Creed—Geovanni Franco—115
5. Shining Through—Flavien Prat—120
6. Rijeka—Mario Gutierrez—120
7. Mayor Cobb—Tiago Pereira—120
8. Neptune’s Storm—Kent Desormeaux--122
9. Big Scott Daddy—Mike Smith—120