Cistron Faces O'Neill Trio in Daytona Stakes

If Cistron is to win his third consecutive graded stakes May 23 in the $100,000 Daytona Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park, he must outrun a three-pronged attack from trainer Doug O'Neill.

The trainer has three of the seven entries in the 5 1/2-furlong turf race, all contenders. There is 7-year-old Murad Khan, who was beaten 1 1/4 lengths by winner Cistron when third in the March 21 San Simeon Stakes (G3T); dual stakes winner Stubbins, who closed for fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) in his most recent start Nov. 2; and Wildman Jack, who won the March 7 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored By Arabian Adventures (G3) at Meydan by zipping 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in a course-record 1:07.61.

"We have a couple nice up-and-coming 4-year-olds and a hard-knocking veteran in Murad Khan," O'Neill said. "I wish we could separate all three. Unfortunately, it doesn't work out that way."

At least Wildman Jack is a frontrunner, like Cistron, and his presence might complement the late-running styles of the other two.

"I got a feeling that (Stubbins) and Murad Khan are going to be sitting near each other early on, and both should be running down the lane," he said.

One of two speed horses in the race, Wildman Jack is well positioned in post 6 under Mike Smith, just outside Cistron.

Wildman Jack is owned by Glenn Sorgenstein's W C Racing, which also was involved in the partnership that raced the gelding's sire, Goldencents , whom O'Neill trained to win two renewals of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

"He's been telling me, 'If I get a really nice horse, I want Mike Smith to ride,'" O'Neill said. "Hopefully, this is the one."

Umberto Rispoli will have the mount on Stubbins, a 4-year-old son of Morning Line owned by McShane Racing. Abel Cedillo will ride Murad Khan, a 7-year-old gelding by Raven's Pass whom owners R3 Racing, Calara Farms, and Steve Rothblum claimed for $50,000 in January.

Hronis Racing's Cistron (The Factor ), who won the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) on dirt last year before his successful return in the San Simeon for trainer John Sadler, is not the only horse riding a hot streak.

Texas Wedge won a pair of turf stakes this winter, capturing the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Jan. 1 and the World of Trouble Turf Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25 for owners Altamira Racing Stable, Rafter JR Ranch, STD Racing Stable, and A. Miller.

The 5-year-old Colonel John gelding has not raced since, but his trainer, Peter Miller, is known for having his turf sprinters well prepared following layoffs.

Belvoir Bay, for instance, won the 2019 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint for him after she had been away for nearly five months. 

Longshots Sparky Ville and Blameitonthelaw complete the lineup for the Daytona, the fifth race on a nine-race card. Post time is 2:39 p.m. PT.

Entries: Daytona S. (G3T)

Santa Anita Park, Saturday, May 23, 2020, Race 5

• Grade IIIT
• 5 1/2f
• Turf
• $100,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 2:39 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Sparky Ville (KY)	Geovanni Franco	122	Jeff Bonde	20/1
2	2Stubbins (KY)	UMBERTO RISPOLI	122	Doug F. O'Neill	3/1
3	3Murad Khan (FR)	Abel Cedillo	120	Doug F. O'Neill	10/1
4	4Blameitonthelaw (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	120	Ronald W. Ellis	20/1
5	5Cistron (KY)	Victor Espinoza	124	John W. Sadler	5/2
6	6Wildman Jack (KY)	Mike E. Smith	124	Doug F. O'Neill	2/1
7	7Texas Wedge (KY)	Flavien Prat	124	Peter Miller	3/1