Slim Shadey Ready to Roll at Santa Anita

Slim Shadey has raced at distances from one mile to a mile and a half in his 11 U.S. starts, but trainer Simon Callaghan feels the mile and an eighth of Sunday’s grassy San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles is ideal for the English-bred son of 2001 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Val Royal.

“I think a mile and an eighth or a mile and a quarter are fine,” Callaghan said. “They’re definitely better than a mile and a half. This distance is good for him, he’s training well, and he’s coming into it in pretty good form, so it’s a pretty nice spot for him, I think.

“He likes this turf course (three for six). He always seems to run a good race here. He’s won on the lead but he can track. If one (horse) wants to go quick, we’ll just stalk, and if we find ourself on the lead, it’s no problem either.”

“I’m excited to ride Slim Shadey going a mile and an eighth,” said Garrett Gomez, who won with his only mount at Santa Anita Thursday, piloting Akkadian to a three-quarter length victory at odds of 5-1 for trainer Julio Canani.

“Slim Shadey is a little fresher for this race,” Gomez added.

The field for the San Gabriel: Temple’s Door, Tyler Baze, 8-1; Tale of a Champion, Gary Stevens, 8-1; Juniper Pass, Julien Leparoux, 8-1; Slim Shadey, Garrett Gomez, 2-1; Fast Track, Martin Garcia, 20-1; Chosen Miracle, Joe Talamo, 3-1; and Jeranimo, Rafael Bejarano, 9-5.