Count Alexander ships west for Zuma Beach

David and Holly Wilson’s Count Alexander ships west from Toronto, Canada and heads a wide-open field of 12 two year olds going one mile on turf in Monday’s $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita.

Joining Count Alexander among those seemingly preferred in the Zuma Beach are consistent My Boy Jack, improving Kazan and Northern California invader Brave Helios.

COUNT ALEXANDER: A first-out maiden special weight winner going six furlongs on turf at Woodbine, he stalked the pace and ran a close fourth, beaten 1 ½ lengths, in a Grade II Stakes at one mile on turf Sept. 17. Trained at Woodbine by Mary Lightner, he’s currently conditioned by Vladimir Cerin, who’s oversaw Count Alexander’s lone work since his last race, a half mile here in 49.20 on Oct. 3. A Kentucky-bred colt by Scat Daddy who fetched $210,000 at public auction this past June, Count Alexander looms the horse to beat on Monday and will be ridden for the first time by Corey Nakatani.

MY BOY JACK: Battle tested but still a maiden following three consecutive second place finishes, this Kentucky-bred colt by Creative Cause was second, beaten half length as the 3-1 favorite in the one mile Del Mar Juvenile Turf on Sept. 3. Owned by Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Monomoy Stables, LLC, My Boy Jack is trained by Keith Desormeaux and will be ridden for the first time by his brother, Kent, as it appears regular pilot Nakatani has opted to ride Count Alexander. A $20,000 Keeneland September yearling 13 months ago, he rates a huge chance to break into the win column in the Zuma Beach.

KAZAN: This lightly raced Irish-bred colt ran a big third, just one length back of My Boy Jack in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Sept. 3, in what was only his second start. Trained by Simon Callaghan, he flew from far back in his most recent and is one of several who would benefit from a fast early pace. Owned by Kaleem Shah, he sold at a Fasig Tipton sale this past March for $485,000. He’ll be ridden for the second consecutive time by Martin Garcia.

BRAVE HELIOS: Based at Golden Gate Fields and trained by Jedd Josephson, this California-bred colt by turf specialist Artie Schiller has run three consecutive good races up north, his most recent a neck victory in a one mile turf maiden special weight versus open company. A $40,000 Northern California August, 2016 Yearling Sale purchase, he’ll get tested for class Monday and be ridden for the first time by Drayden Van Dyke.

THE $100,000 ZUMA BEACH STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 6 of 9 Approximate post time 3 p.m. PT

1Restrainedvengence—Martin Pedroza—120

Armour Plate—Rafael Bejarano—120

Brave Helios—Drayden Van Dyke—120

Cono—Gary Stevens—118

Big Buzz—Tyler Baze—118

Count Alexander—Corey Nakatani—118

Mantracker—Flavien Prat—120

My Boy Jack—Kent Desormeaux—118

For Him—Edwin Maldonado—118

Trusting Friend—Mario Gutierrez—118

Kazan—Martin Garcia—118

Kylemore—Joe Talamo—120