ARCADIA, Calif.—Royal Ship has made nine of 11 career starts on turf, finishing an eventful fourth in the Grade III Native Diver Stakes last Nov. 21 at Del Mar, his lone race on dirt in the United States and only his second overall, having finished third in his debut race in his native Brazil on July 16, 2019.
But Richard Mandella feels the five-year-old Midshipman gelding deserves a chance in Saturday’s Grade II Californian Stakes for three-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.
“He’s always trained very well on dirt and I thought his race on dirt in the Native Diver was good other than he fell on his face leaving the gate,” Mandella said, muffling a laugh upon reflection.
“We’re going to try dirt again, mainly because we don’t have any other options (race-wise).”
Winner of five consecutive races in Brazil, each at odds-on before making his U.S. debut in the Grade II Del Mar Mile last Aug. 23, Royal Ship was a close fifth, beaten just a length, in the Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile on turf March 6 as a 25-1 outsider.
The Californian, race eight of nine with a 1 p.m. first post time:
1. Growth Engine, Tyler Baze, 8-1
2. Magic On Tap, Umberto Rispoli, 5-2
3. Country Grammer, Abel Cedillo, 5-2
4. Royal Ship, Mike Smith, 4-1
5. Independence Hall, Flavien Prat, 8-5.
Santa Anita Stable Notes by Ed Golden
Photo: Royal Ship (BRZ), (Sienna Farm)
