Strub cakewalk for Twirling Candy

"Mike (Smith) tried to send his horse (Indian Firewater) to the lead and get a

clean trip early. It was tough to get my horse to relax for a little bit,"

Rosario said. "Going

to the half-mile pole he relaxed really nice for me, which is what I wanted, and

I just followed the horse on the lead. He's a good horse. I followed the horse

on the lead, and my horse just did unbelievable. My horse just took me there,

and I let him do what he wants to do"

"He's such a nice horse," Sadler exclaimed. "My job is just to be a good

steward and take good care of him, because he's a natural runner. There was no

concern (going from seven furlongs to a mile and an eighth). My only concern is

that I do a good job, because I really feel this is the best horse in the

country."

Favored at 1-2 among seven rivals, he paid $3, $2.40 and $2.10 to

his many backers. Tweebster (Tapit) stalked the pace in third and tried to offer

a challenge in upper stretch, but he was a never a serious threat while settling

for second. It was 2 1/2 lengths back to Make Music for Me (Bernstein), who

edged Indian Firewater by a nose for third, and Oilisblackgold (Tapit), Honour

the Deputy (Honour and Glory) and Do It All (Distorted Humor) rounded out the

order of finish. Paris Vegas (Maria's Mon) was withdrawn.

Twirling Candy is now six for seven in his career. He captured his career bow

in November 2009 on Hollywood Park's Cushion Track, but was sidelined by sore

shins for the next six months. Twirling Candy reappeared at the Inglewood,

California, track in a May 29 allowance/optional claiming sprint and dusted his

foes by 7 3/4 lengths. Sadler then stretched him out to two turns and switched

him to the grass for the July 21 Oceanside S. on Del Mar's opening day, and the

big colt rallied to a sharp 2 1/4-length decision. Twirling Candy was even more

dominant in the September 5 Del Mar Derby (G2), where he ducked out badly,

rolled by 3 1/4 lengths, and survived an inquiry to keep the victory.

He suffered his only career setback in his 2010 finale, the October 2

Goodwood S. (G1), finishing fourth as the in his first try versus older horses

after weakening uncharacteristically in the stretch. That setback ruled him out

of a projected tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), and Twirling Candy

returned from a near three-month freshening in the opening-day Malibu, edging

multiple Grade 1-winning sprinter Smiling Tiger (Hold That Tiger) in a superb

showing. With Saturday's $120,000 payday, Twirling Candy has now earned

$579,900.

"He's a really good horse, so I feel a strong sense of stewardship, that I do

the right things with him and pick the races carefully," Sadler said. "I just

don't want to make any mistakes because he's that good. I beat up myself a few

times for the time he got beat, maybe he wasn't quite his best that day. But I

just think if I do the right moves, he's just a really top horse -- he looked

really comfortable today. He looked really non-stressed in the winner's circle

and that's really key for him."

Twirling Candy is the likely favorite for the 1 1/4-mile Big 'Cap.

The Kentucky-bred is the first registered foal from the Chester House mare

House of Danzing, who has also produced two full siblings to the winner -- an

unraced juvenile filly named Dulcito and a yearling colt named Treasure Ride --

as well as a weanling colt by Tribal Rule. Twirling Candy comes from the family

of Grade 3 victor and multiple Grade 1-placed Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride

[Arg]). Further back in the female line, one finds 1978 Triple Crown legend

Affirmed (Exclusive Native).