Santa Anita


Sham

Out of Bounds validated his smart maiden win at Hollywood last month and propelled himself onto the Derby trail fast track as he handled the big step up in class and longer trip nicely. A son of top-class Discreet Cat and Unbridled Elaine (won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff), he bided his time a few lengths off a brisk pace while saving ground on the rail, moved up nicely on the far turn, got a dream trip as he was able to swing out into the lane and kept on resolutely to reel in Secret Circle and Longview Drive and edge past. They’ll give him some time to recover as the Grade 2 San Felipe March 10 is the next goal. Secret Circle did nothing wrong and showed he can handle at least a mile. Previously unbeaten in 3 starts (all sprints), the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner chased pacesetter Longview Drive through brisk splits, moved up to challenge that rival into the lane, pushed his way to the front in midstretch but couldn’t fend off the perfect-trip winner. While he ran well, it’s dicey whether he wants much more ground than this. Longview Road was hustled to the lead outside Secret Circle, was pushed through fast splits but battled gamely all the way to the line in a good effort. Hierro, much ballyhooed off a big maiden win at Churchill Nov. 9, sat back, made a mild move on the far turn but couldn’t sustain it in a disappointing run.


Out of Bounds, a 10-1 longshot that upset 1-2 favorite Secret Circle in Saturday's Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita, likely will make his next start on the Triple Crown trail in the Grade 2, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 10.



"He'll probably come back in the San Felipe," trainer Eoin Harty said Sunday morning. "He came out of the race well and everything looks good right now."



Out of Bounds, an over-sized colt by Discreet Cat, is out of 2001 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Unbridled Elaine. The Darley Stable homebred rallied from fourth at the half-mile marker in the Sham field of five to wear down previously unbeaten Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Secret Circle by a half-length under Garrett Gomez, who was winning his sixth stakes race of the meet, the last four in a row.