ARCADIA, Calif.— C R K Stable’s Beyond Brilliant, freshened since a disappointing effort on July 31, heads Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 City of Hope Mile, to be contested over the Santa Anita turf.
Nominated to both the Grade II John Henry Turf Championship at a mile and one quarter on turf and the City of Hope Mile, trainer John Shirreffs has opted to run C R K Stable’s Beyond Brilliant in the Mile, which will be his first start since running a disappointing sixth as the 8-5 favorite in the Grade II Eddie Read Stakes July 31.
In his only start at one mile on turf, Beyond Brilliant showed the way but tired late while finishing fourth, beaten one length in the Grade I Frank E. Kilroe three starts back on March 5 at Santa Anita.
A gate-to-wire winner going 1 ¼ miles on turf in the Grade II Charles Whittingham two starts back here on April 30, Beyond Brilliant took the Grade I Hollywood Derby at Del Mar in similar fashion five starts back at Del Mar. Nov. 27.
A 4-year-old colt by Twirling Candy out of the First Defence mare Summer On the Lawn, Beyond Brilliant will be ridden for the fourth consecutive time by Victor Espinoza.
With turf ace Umberto Rispoli back aboard, Phil D’Amato’s Irish-bred Cathkin Peak, most recently third on grass in the Grade II Del Mar Mile Sept. 3, looms a major threat as he seeks his first graded stakes victory. Owned by CYBT Sterling Stables, LLC and Michael Nentwig, Cathkin Peak has two wins and as many seconds from four tries over the local turf and is 2-1-1 from four starts at one mile on grass.
If a hot pace does develop, trainer Marcelo Polanco’s late running Argentine-bred Irideo will hope to be along in time under newly arrived Hector Berrios. A 31-1 winner going one mile on turf in the restricted Wickerr on July 24, Irideo rallied from far back to finish second, beaten 2 ¼ lengths by Hong Kong Harry in the Grade II Del Mar Mile Sept. 3.
A 6-year-old gelding by the Storm Cat stallion Easing Along, Irideo is owned by his breeder, Pozo de Luna, Inc.
THE GRADE II CITY OF HOPE MILE WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 5 of 10 – Approximate post time 2:30 p.m. PT
- Cathkin Peak—Umberto Rispoli—122
- Irideo—Hector Berrios— 122
- Beyond Brilliant—Victor Espinoza—126
- Tarantino—Abel Cedillo—122
- Prince Abama—Juan Hernandez—122
- Kanderel—Ramon Vazquez–122
First post time for a 10-race card, which includes five other stakes on Saturday, is at 12:30 p.m.
Santa Anita Press Release
Photo: Beyond Brilliant wins the G2 Charles Whittingham (Benoit Photo)
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