Exciting Baffert juvenile Mourinho heads field in Speakeasy Stakes

A romping 4 ½ length maiden winner in his six furlong debut at Santa Anita on Sept. 30, Bob Baffert’s Mourinho heads a field of 6 juveniles going six furlongs in Sunday’s $70,000 Speakeasy Stakes.

A Kentucky-bred colt by Super Saver, Mourinho figures to be a short priced favorite in his second start versus a group of similarly lightly raced individuals, including John Sadler’s first-out winner, Candy Crew.

Owned by Hronis Racing, LLC, Candy Crew was an easy 3 ¾ length maiden winner going six furlongs with Martin Pedroza on Sept. 24 and he’ll need to step up to act with the top selection on Sunday.

Trainer Gary Sherlock’s stakes winning California-bred filly, Show It N Moe It, faces males and just as importantly, open company for the first time, but enjoys a seasoning edge as the Speakeasy will be her third stakes engagement and her sixth overall start this year.

MOURINHO: Owned by Phoenix Thoroughbred III, Ltd., he was purchased for $625,000 at the Ocala Breeders March 2-year-old in Training Sale this past March. Off at 5-2 in a field of 11 on Sept. 30, he ran to expectations and with a Speakeasy win on Sunday, could begin to emerge as yet another star in the making for team Baffert. Quick from the blocks in his debut, he’ll likely be on or very close to the early lead Sunday with “Big Money” Mike Smith taking over.

CANDY CREW: Purchased for $80,000 out of the same Ocala sale as Mourinho this past March, he showed good speed as the even money favorite in his debut and he’ll hope to improve in his second start with Martin Pedroza re-engaged to ride. A Kentucky-bred colt by Twirling Candy, Candy Crew is out of the Forest Wildcat mare Brenda Leigh.

SHOW IT N MOE IT: Idle since a well beaten third as the 1-2 favorite in the Generous Portion Stakes Aug. 30, she’s being pointed to the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies at seven furlongs on Nov. 3 and is in need of race, according to Sherlock when asked 

about running against open males here on Sunday. Owned by Tom London, Terry Lovingier and Eugene Zondlo and bred by Lovingier, she took the 5 ½ furlong CTBA Stakes by 1 ½ lengths two starts back on Aug. 2. Although she’s taking what appears to be a massive class hike, Show It N Moe It is by far the most accomplished Speakeasy entrant, with an overall mark of 5-2-1-2 and earnings of $121,920.

THE $70,000 SPEAKEASY STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 5 of 9 Approximate post time 2:30 p.m. PT

1. Candy Crew—Martin Pedroza—120

2. Soul of Discretion—Edwin Maldonado—120

3. Show It N Moe It—Evin Roman

4. Beautiful Shot—Kent Desormeaux—120

5. Here Is Happy—Joe Talamo—118

6. Mourinho—Mike Smith—120