Square Eddie returns against seven rivals in San Rafael
Last seen finishing an excellent second behind Midshipman (Unbridled's Song) in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike) will open his three-year-old campaign in Saturday's $100,000 Rafael S. (G3) at Santa Anita. Trainer Doug O'Neill will use the one-mile event on Pro-Ride as the first step along a plotted course toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 2, and the J. Paul Reddam-owned colt will face seven rivals under regular rider Rafael Bejarano.
"He's doing fantastic," O'Neill said. "He looks great, full of energy. We gave him 83 days between the Breeders' Cup and the San Rafael, so he's been freshened and he looks ready to roll." Square Eddie made his first four starts in England under the direction of trainer John Best, compiling a turf maiden special weight victory prior to a close second in the Sirenia S. (Eng-G3) over the Polytrack at Kempton Park. The chestnut made a terrific U.S. debut in the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, winning off by 4 3/4 lengths in spectacular fashion, and re-rallied in the stretch run of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita to miss by only 1 1/4 lengths. Square Eddie shows a pair of recent six-furlong works in preparation for the San Rafael.
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BROTHER KEITH (Johar), an impressive 2 1/4-length debut winner at Churchill
Downs in November in his lone career outing, will step up to face stakes rivals
in his 2009 bow. The Bobby Frankel-trained colt will pick up the services of
leading rider Garrett Gomez. PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike), a good-looking maiden
special winner last out over the track/trip, will make his first appearance
against winners for conditioner Gary Stute.
RYEHILL DREAMER (Ire) (Catcher in the Rye) and CHARLIE'S MOMENT (Indian
Charlie) are the only stakes winners in the field besides Square Eddie. Ryehill
Dreamer, who is now trained by John Shirreffs, will make his first U.S. start
after winning an Irish listed event and placing second in the Futurity S.
(Ire-G2) last season. Grade 2-placed Charlie's Moment, winner of the Gateway to
Glory S. at Fairplex Park, exits a third in the Real Quiet S. for Walther Solis.
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