Callaghan Eyes Santa Anita Stakes Double
Simon Callaghan sends out Slim Shadey in Saturday’s San Gabriel Stakes and Judy In Disguise in Sunday’s Monrovia Stakes, hopeful each can wind up in the winner’s circle.
Callaghan is second in Santa Anita’s trainers’ standings through five days with three wins from six starts.
Slim Shadey has run in 16 consecutive graded stakes but has not won since leading throughout to capture the Grade II San Marcos Stakes at 1 ¼ miles on turf last Feb. 9. However, Callaghan is optimistic the 6-year-old English-bred gelding will come back running.
“We gave him a little break, saving him for this turf course, which seems to be his forte,” the trainer said. “He’s training well and this looks like an OK spot for him.” Slim Shadey worked five furlongs on the main track Sunday in 59.80.
Four of Slim Shadey’s five career wins have come on Santa Anita’s turf course, where he also has one second. His career earnings stand at $623,064.
Judy In Disguise was a game second on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track in the Playa Del Rey on Dec. 15.
“She ran really well,” Callaghan said of the English-bred daughter of Elusive City, who won the Sweet Life sprinting on Santa Anita’s turf course nearly a year ago, last Feb. 16. She was fourth and third, respectively, in the Unzip Me and Sen. Ken Maddy, run over a course identical to the Monrovia.
“I think maybe she’s a touch better on grass,” Callaghan said of Judy In Disguise, who has 15 career starts, 12 on turf and three on synthetics. “But she’s doing well and we've been really happy with the way she’s been training. She came out of the race at Hollywood in good shape and we’re hopeful of a good run.”
The San Gabriel, which goes as race eight: Slim Shadey, Corey Nakatani, 5-1; Te Rapa, Kayla Stra, 5-1; Artic North, Joe Talamo, 8-1; Dubai You X Y Z, Brice Blanc, 7-2; Fire With Fire, Martin Garcia, 10-1; Utopian, Jose Valdivia Jr., 12-1; Empty Headed, Alonso Quinonez, 20-1; Black Spirit, Tyler Baze, 20-1; Jeranimo, Rafael Bejarano, 3-1; Huntsville, Mike Smith, 10-1; and Willyconker, Victor Espinoza, 8-1.
The field for the Monrovia: Judy In Disguise, Martin Garcia; Kindle, Rafael Bejarano; Purim’s dancer, Joe Talamo; Golden production, Edwin Maldonado; Ciao Bella Luna, Martin Pedroza; Sky High Gal, Corey Nakatani; Ultrasonic, Mike Smith; Pontchatrain, Gary Stevens; Camyrn Kate, Tyler Baze; and Winding Way, Victor Espinoza.