Out of Bounds wins the Grade 3 Sham Stakes.
Santa Anita’s Grade 3 Sham Stakes has been an interesting stop for Kentucky Derby prospects, but the race has never seen its winner wear the roses. Eoin Harty’s Out of Bounds (Discreet Cat x Unbridled Elaine by Unbridled’s Song) will try to change that.
The beautifully bred colt raced in fourth on the rail before swinging wide as they turned for home and surging past the leader late in the stretch for a ½ length triumph. Garrett Gomez put a great ride on him and seems excited about the future. He had the following to say to Brisnet.com‘s James Scully.
“My horse jumped away really well and traveled really good,” Gomez said. “I was able to cover up behind a couple horses. He did everything really professional for a horse that’s only run a couple of times. I was excited by his last couple races.”
“He’s such a good-sized colt and I thought the two turns would really help him because he’s such a long-striding horse. It’s just a matter of getting him to understand how to do it the right way. I think he’s got enough ability to do it. He showed us all today. He traveled really well, did things the right way, and finished up well.”
The size difference between Out of Bounds and runner up Secret Circle was very evident as they crossed the wire. Out of Bounds is a very big colt!
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Secret Circle (Eddington x Ragtime Hope by Dixieland Band) lost nothing in defeat. He was able to relax very well and didn’t appear to be under too much duress at the wire. He simply got beat, but there is clearly room for him to move forward and the connections have no reason to hang their heads.
It’s too early to say how good the California sophomores are in 2012, but I certainly like them more after the Sham Stakes.
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