Flashy debut winner Devil Made Me Doit readies for 'a big summer'

Devil Made Me Doit, a romping debut winner by 9 ½ lengths Dec. 28 at Santa Anita Park, has returned to trainer Doug O’Neill’s barn following a brief freshening and will soon be back on the work tab.

Owned by Reddam Racing and Ciaran Dunne, Devil Made Me Doit went off the favorite for his unveiling and promptly led at every point of call while widening his lead throughout. The son of Daredevil completed six furlongs in 1:10.29 in an effort that rated well on speed figures.

O'Neill said Devil Made Me Doit exited the race “body sore” and was sent to Ocean Breeze Ranch -- formerly Vessels Ranch -- in Bonsall Calif., for a brief freshening.

“He just needed time to recover from that huge effort,” said O’Neill, who added Devil Made Me Doit is about a week away from an official workout.

Out of the U S Ranger mare Bible, Devil Made Me Doit went through last year’s OBS June 2-year-olds in training sale where he was consigned by Dunne’s Wavertree Stables. Reddam Racing acquired the colt on a final bid of $245,000.

Following his freshening, connections are hopeful Devil Made Me Doit is set up for a productive second half of the season.

“We’re looking for a big summer campaign,” O’Neill said.