The Galloping Hat Rack

(Photo by Benoit Photo)

Highlights:

• G2 winner at 1 1/16 miles (Robert B. Lewis Stakes)
• G1-placed at 1/16 miles (CashCall Futurity) and 9 furlongs (Santa Anita Derby)

Basics:

• Trainer: John Sadler (Twirling Candy, Switch, Sidney’s Candy) 
• Jockey: Gary Stevens
• Owned by: C R K Stable
• Record: 7: 2-2-1
• Earnings: $425,600
• Best speed figures: 96 Beyer (Robert B. Lewis), 97 BRIS Figure (Robert B. Lewis), 97 Equibase

Background: John Sadler has had his fair share of experience with good Candy Ride [ARG] progeny, including G1 winner Twirling Candy and Sidney’s Candy, who both flashed early promise going longer, but ultimately disappointed when it came to the first Saturday in May. So it’s with the hope that the third time will be the charm with Candy Boy, who hopes to crack the Candy Ride curse that the stallion’s progeny can ace 10 furlongs well enough to win the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Gary Stevens will try the Derby on for size for the second time since returning from his retirement; last year he rode Oxbow to the winners’ circle in the Preakness.

Prep Schedule: It took four tries for Candy Boy to snap his maiden with his first two races coming on Del Mar’s polytrack– his maiden finishing a meek 4th going 5 ½ furlongs, and his 2nd start finishing 4th again going a mile. He improved when switched to dirt at Santa Anita, making up ground on the turn but finishing a still-distant 2nd to Tap It Rich running a mile. Heading to Hollywood Park in November going 1 1/16 miles, Candy Boy aced his lessons and romped on the polytrack by 8+ lengths over a small group. Three weeks later, a still green Candy Boy ran sporadically well in the CashCall (I) as his stakes debut, making a good middle move too late to catch the winner Shared Belief, getting 2nd to close out his 2-year-old year. Back at Santa Anita for his 3-year-old debut, Candy Boy did not disappoint, rallying on the turn to be up in time to grab the Robert B. Lewis (II) win by a half length over Chitu. Getting a 2-month layoff, the colt bounced back into the 9-furlong Santa Anita Derby (I), getting 3rd without making too much headway on winner California Chrome and runner-up Hoppertunity.

Pedigree: Argentinean and a winner at 10 furlongs on American soil, Candy Ride [ARG] has had an imposing presence year after year in the Kentucky Derby preps without getting a legitimate good finisher when it comes time for the big race, although he has spun plenty of horses who could handle 10 furlongs: Clubhouse Ride, Twirling Candy, and Misremembered are but a few who had an impact. His damsire Candy Stripes is also noted for Breeders’ Cup Classic-Dubai World Cup champion Invasor [ARG]. Candy Boy’s dam She’s An Eleven was a fair stakes winner and offers some speed through her sire, the miler In Excess [IRE], and she offers the only source of early inbreeding with two crosses to the Virginia-bred stallion Somethingfabulous, a son of Northern Dancer and blue hen Somethingroyal (no introduction needed for the dam of Secretariat).

Estimated TrueNicks Rating: A++, Variant: 130.06

Dosage Index: 1.67

Running Style: Mid-pack, closing

Pros: Lightly-raced and coming with a 2nd race off the layoff approach, Candy Boy appears to be a horse who desires more ground and could feasibly blossom at 10 furlongs. The addition of Gary Stevens in the irons is a nice plus.

Cons: We haven’t seen much from Candy Boy since he learned how racing works in the Robert B. Lewis, although that shortness he displayed in the Santa Anita Derby could easily be improved upon next out. He may not be completely fit, and this is a race that demands the fittest horse as its winner.

Final Word: If he’s ready, Candy Boy could have the race fall to his advantage when the early speed fades and the track opens up to the true 10-furlong types. I’m convinced he’s going to improve with this race, but by how much depends on how good he really is and how fit he may be at this stage.