Om Returns to Dirt in Affirmed
Om, who defeated American Pharoah by 9 ¼ lengths when breaking his maiden at Del Mar last Aug. 9, returns to the main track Sunday in the Grade III, $100,000 Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. A Kentucky-bred colt by Munnings, Om made an impressive turf debut May 10 at Santa Anita, winning by 2 ¼ lengths while covering a flat mile in 1:35.60.
“The grass was the only two-turn race, timing wise, so we ran there,” said trainer Dan Hendricks, alluding to the race won in front-running fashion.
“We thought he might be a good grass horse, and he might be, but this time of year I wanted to try the dirt and either get another option for him, or go back to the turf if he doesn’t like it,” Hendricks said. “But it’s a good time to try him, before Del Mar.”
Om, owned by K.B. Sareen of Las Vegas, is named for an expression used in a Buddhist prayer or mantra. The chestnut colt blew out three furlongs Thursday in 38.80.
The field for the Affirmed, which goes as race three: Gimma Da Lute, Martin Garcia; Cyrus Alexander, Rafael Bejarano; Cross the Line, Corey Nakatani; Om, Fernando Perez;and Prospect Park, Kent Desormeaux.
Source: Santa Anita Park