Classy Field Assembles in Grade 1 Kilroe Mile

Category :: News

The Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile March 7 at Santa Anita features a field of twelve older horses set to contest the one mile event on the grass.

7/2 morning line favorite Summer Front was last seen finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile November 1 at Santa Anita. The Christophe Clement trainee was performing at a high level last summer and fall recording consecutive Beyer Speed Figures of 104, 100, and 105 in his last three races – all Grade 1 events on the turf. Summer Front’s work tab shows a series of steady drills at Payson Park in Florida since January 21. The cross-country ship to Santa Anita is a positive indicator from Clement who connects at a 23% clip with runners returning from layoffs of 61-180 days.

2014 Kilroe winner tries to find best form

Winning Prize (4/1) won the 2014 Kilroe, but has raced just twice since, and has not made a start since running poorly in the Grade 2 Play King Stakes at Woodbine in August. The six year-old son of Pure Prize has won 8 of 15 starts for earnings of $612,913, and would be an obvious contender if he were able to rediscover his winning form.

Holy Lute dangerous on lead

Holy Lute (8/1) is an up-and-coming type who has posted consecutive $62,000 optional/claiming wins sprinting on the downhill course at Santa Anita. The five year-old son of Midnight Lute should set the early pace under jockey Tyler Baze and could be dangerous if left uncontested on the lead.