Stilleto Boy Tries Turf for New Connections in La Jolla

After rolling on the lead the $250,000 Iowa Derby July 2 at Prairie Meadows and selling for $420,000 at auction later that month, Stilleto Boy  changes circuits and surfaces to compete in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (G3T) at Del Mar Aug. 8.

The 1 1/16-mile turf contest is a prep for the Sept. 4 $250,000 Del Mar Derby (G2T), the seaside track's premier race for 3-year-olds every summer. 

By 2011 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Shackleford , who never raced on turf, Stilleto Boy has turf blood in his female family. His dam, the Marquetry  mare Rosie's Ransom , was a three-time winner on grass and has produced multiple winners on the surface. 

Stilleto Boy is potentially her best foal, having won two of seven starts and $249,675. He now races for trainer Ed Moger Jr. and owner Steve Moger, who acquired him at the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale from the Paramount Sales consignment.

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux rides the rail-drawn Stilleto Boy, the 6-1 fifth morning-line choice in the field of six.

Cathkin Peak  and Hudson Ridge  are favored at 2-1 and 5-2 odds, respectively. They are among three turf stakes winners in the field along with Sword Zorro .

British invader Zoffarelli  and longshot Wyfire  complete the field.