Idiot Proof tops El Conejo; Society Hostess bids for Monrovia repeat

Idiot Proof may use the El Conejo as a stepping stone to the Sunshine Millions Sprint (Alex Evers/Horsephotos.com)

The admirably consistent Idiot Proof has compiled a 9-5-2-1 career mark. Last

summer, the Cliff Sise, Jr. trainee stamped himself as a serious sprinter on the

upgrade with a track record-setting, 7 1/4-length score in the Jersey Shore S.

(G3) at Monmouth. After finishing an uncharacteristically distant third in the

Real Good Deal S. at Del Mar, Idiot Proof rebounded with a gritty victory over

older horses in the Ancient Title S. (G1) at this track. He displayed those same

battling qualities in the October 27 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Monmouth, edging

away to a one-length lead at the eighth-pole, but could not contain the late

rally of probable sprint champion Midnight Lute (Real Quiet) and was relegated

to second.

Idiot Proof has been firing bullets at Santa Anita in advance of his return

in the El Conejo, where he will shorten up to 5 1/2 furlongs. The 122-pound co-highweight

will break from post 3, midway through the six-horse field, with regular rider

David Flores.

Also shouldering 122 pounds is Bing Crosby H. (G1) hero IN SUMMATION (Put It

Back). The dark bay was pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, but he was

ruled out of the event after failing to exit a workout to trainer Christophe

Clement's satisfaction. Given time to regroup, In Summation resurfaced in the

December 2 Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) at Hollywood Park and vainly chased the

front-running BUSHWACKER (Outflanker) throughout. In Summation gradually

whittled the deficit down to three-quarters of a length, but he came no nearer

while being steadied at the wire and settled for runner-up honors. Drawn just to

the outside of Idiot Proof in post 4, In Summation will once again team up with

Corey Nakatani.

Bushwacker had shown flashes of talent at times over the course of his

career, but the bay has finally put all the pieces together for conditioner Bill

Currin. The now six-year-old, who wired allowance/optional claiming rivals prior

to his breakthrough score in the Underwood, will try to extend his winning

streak to three. Bushwacker has landed in post 2, just inside of Idiot Proof,

and he promises to gun it early beneath Joe Talamo.

Del Mar turf stakes winner BARBER (Storm Boot) will lead the post parade

beneath a 115-pound impost that includes Richard Migliore. Next will come

Bushwacker, 119; Idiot Proof; In Summation; Ancient Title third BARBECUE EDDIE

(Stormy Atlantic), Aaron Gryder, 116; and Underwood fourth COUNCIL MEMBER

(Seattle Slew), Garrett Gomez, 117.