Ginobili's trying turf in Santa Anita's Speakeasy Stakes

With a fees-paid berth to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at stake, Ginobili, Raging Whiskey and Mr. Tip all loom prominently among a field of 11 juveniles in Sunday’s $100,000 Speakeasy Stakes to be contested at five furlongs over the Santa Anita turf.

The Speakeasy was run last year at five furlongs on the main track.

Owner: Slam Dunk Racing, Richard Baltas, Jerry McClanahn & Michael Nentwig

Trainer: Richard Baltas

An impressive maiden special weight winner (83 Beyer Speed Figure) going six furlongs on Aug. 17 at Del Mar, this Kentucky-bred colt by Munnings pressed the pace before tiring to fourth, beaten five lengths in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 2. He’ll be trying turf for the first time in his fourth start on Sunday and picks up jockey Drayden Van Dyke. In a field of lightly raced juveniles, his speed figure two starts back should carry some pari-mutuel weight.

Owner: Pappas Horse Racing Corporation & Bartlett                             

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Off at 9-2 two starts back in the one-mile Del Mar Juvenile Turf on Sept. 1, this Maryland-bred colt by Bourbon Courage finished last by nine lengths but with the addition of blinkers, came back to register an emphatic eight length score in a 6 ½-furlong restricted stakes at Los Alamitos on Sept. 21, earning a Speakeasy best last-out Beyer of 77. With the “light bulb” again fully re-engaged, Raging Whiskey’s connections are hopeful a return to turf won’t prove problematic.

Owner: Calumet Farm                                                                 

Trainer: Jack Sisterson

An impressive first-out maiden winner on synthetic at Arlington Park Sept. 7, Mr. Tip ships west for former Doug O’Neill assistant Sisterson and will be ridden back by Sophie Doyle. A Kentucky-bred colt by Mr. Speaker, he fetched $90,000 at the Ocala Breeders 2-year-old in Training Sale this past April. Off at 2-1 in his debut versus five rivals, Mr. Tip looks like a good fit in the Speakeasy.