Colonel John is ready to justify his rank in the top echelon of the 3-year-old division when he returns from a ten-week break in the $350,000-added Swaps Stakes Saturday at Hollywood Park. The Grade II test will be run at 1 1/8 miles on Cushion Track.
The Santa Anita Derby winner will be making his first start since a sixth-place finish May 3 in the Kentucky Derby, 14 lengths behind winner Big Brown.
"I gave him a little time off after that," explained trainer Eoin Harty Wednesday from his Santa Anita base. "He had a very rough trip. He was wiped out at the start and lost all chance going into the first turn.
"He looks fantastic now, and I couldn't be happier," said Harty of the Kentucky-bred colt who worked five furlongs in :59.40 Monday at Santa Anita under exercise rider Karine Lhuillier. "I think he's coming into this race as good as he was coming into the Santa Anita Derby."
Colonel John will try to do one better than his sire, Tiznow, who finished second to Captain Steve in the 2000 Swaps before going on to Horse of the Year honors.
Colonel John scored his first stakes victory in the Real Quiet here in November. The WinStar Farm homebred has won four of seven starts and earned $825,300. He will be ridden by Garrett Gomez, who guided him to victory in the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita in March.
Colonel John is expected to vie for favoritism with Two Step Salsa, winner of the Affirmed Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on June 15.
Trainer Beau Greely expects a big effort out of Tres Borrachos, runner-up in the Affirmed. "He just worked three furlongs in :36 and one this morning and is all set for the venture," said Greely.
"He stumbled at the gate and went to his knees in the Preakness," said Greely of a distant ninth-place finish in the gelding's previous start before the Affirmed. "We just threw that one out and went from there.
"He came back and ran a nice second to Two Step Salsa," said Greely. "It's obviously a nice field, but if he brings his 'A' game, and he's training like he will, he should be right in the mix."
Lexington Stakes winner Behindatthebar was a late defection from New York. According to assistant racing secretary Dan Eidson, trainer Todd Pletcher informed him the colt had a foot problem and did not make a scheduled flight Tuesday.
Norfolk Stakes winner Dixie Chatter also passed on the race for an easier spot. Trainer Richard Mandella worked the colt five furlongs in 1:01 here Wednesday for a possible return in the Oceanside Stakes next Wednesday at Del Mar.
SADLER ISSUES SUNSET WARNING
Trainer John Sadler, atop the trainer standings in wins with 27 and stakes with six, seeks to cap a banner meet with a victory by Warning Zone in the $150,000-added Sunset Handicap, the closing-day headliner Sunday. The Grade II test is at 1½ miles on turf.
"He's better the farther he goes," said Sadler Wednesday of the 4-year-old colt, fifth-place finisher in the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at 1¼ miles on turf June 7. "A mile and a quarter might have been a little short for him."
Warning Zone finished third in the San Luis Rey Stakes at 1½ miles and second in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap at 1¾ miles, both on turf, at Santa Anita this winter.
"He had a good work Monday and should run good," said Sadler of the Rising Sun Racing Stable color-bearer. Warning Zone seeks his third stakes victory on turf here in as many years after capturing a division of the Generous in 2006 and the War Chant in 2007.
A field of eight is probable in the Sunset: Warning Zone, Mike Smith, 117 pounds; Cedar Mountain, Rafael Bejarano, 117; Church Service, Brice Blanc, 117; Porfido, David Flores, 117; Transduction Gold, Richard Migliore, 116; Boule d'Or, Tyler Baze, 115; Fitz Flag, Goncalino Almeida, 114; and Storm Trooper, Aaron Gryder, 112.
ROSARIO CONTINUES RISE
One year ago, Joel Rosario was struggling to make an impact on the Southern California circuit. Newly arrived from Northern California, the native of the Dominican Republic was challenged both by landing mounts and learning English.
"I thought it would take time but he would move up," said veteran agent Vince De Gregory, who prodded an attitude change out of the rider. "When he got a ten-day suspension at Del Mar and said he was going to Dallas to visit some family, I told him that he should consider getting a different agent if he wasn't going to pay attention. After that, he came back with a different outlook."
Rosario, 23, has risen steadily in the Southern California jockey standings this year. He finished fourth at Santa Anita and ranks second at the current meet with 44 wins heading into the final week. He is ten behind leader Rafael Bejarano and ten ahead of Joseph Talamo and Victor Espinoza, tied for third.
Rosario is tied for second in stakes wins with six, including the richest of his career aboard Misty Ocean in the $175,000-added Honeymoon Handicap.
