The $400,000, Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile is one of several intriguing graded stakes races March 12 at Santa Anita on the undercard of the Santa Anita Handicap.
The field of seven set to contest the one-mile Kilroe on the grass is led by 2/1 morning line favorite Bolo who returned from a lengthy layoff February 13 to win the Grade 2 Aracadia Handicap in style. The Carla Gaines trainee is unbeaten in three turf starts at Santa Anita and showed great promise as a three year-old competing in the Kentucky Derby before being moved to the lawn where he has excelled. Gaines connects at just 8% with her runners making their second starts following a layoff of over 180 days, but Bolo appears primed to deliver another solid performance with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith in the irons. Bolo will break from post 4.
Om (3/1) finished 3 lengnths behind Bolo while running third in the Arcadia, but may have been compromised by his trip as the speedy four year-old son of Munnings was taken off the pace by jockey Gary Stevens to avoid a speed duel with the exceptionally quick veteran runner Obviously. Without the presence of Obviously in this field, and Om set to break from the rail, expect Stevens to send his mount to the front.
Bal a Bali (7/2), has won 13 of 18 career starts, and is a legitimate win candidate for trainer Richard Mandella. The six year-old Brazilian-bred may be a step slower than Bolo on figures, but certainly fits in well should the top pick regress.
The Grade 2 $1.25 million Pennsylvania Derby features the two biggest names from the Triple Crown trail September 24 at Parx as a field of 12 gathers in one of the most intriguing betting races of the year.
The $1 million Cotillion Stakes September 24 at Parx features a true clash of the titans as the six-horse field is headlined by the undefeated, five-time grade 1 winner Songbird who figures to face the most stern challenge of her career.
In a completely wide open renewal of the Presque Isle Mile September 18 at Presque Isle Downs, 13 runners including the also-eligible will contest the eight furlong trip over synthetic footing.
Champion Songbird is set to make her much-anticipated return to the races in the $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on Saturday. The Grade 2 event will be run at a mile and a sixteenth and has attracted a field of seven.
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