Accelerate Looks Speediest in Los Al Derby

Accelerate, coming in off a score in the Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar, looms the favorite in the $200,000 Los Alamitos Derby (gr. II) Sept. 24 going nine furlongs.

Accelerate finished a neck ahead of eventual Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Arrogate in a maiden contest last April and has improved as the year has worn on. He broke his maiden by 8 ¾ lengths in July and came back to take the Shared Belief at a flat mile. He is working forwardly coming into this race and has already defeated several of his main contenders here.

Blackjackcat has run fast on the turf at Del Mar his last two races, winning an allowance and checking in sixth, just two lengths off the winner, in the Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT). If he can carry his form to the main track he will be dangerous from the outside post. Sugar Buzz won a stakes last out up north at Santa Rosa and will be hoping for some pace to close into late. His two-turn experience makes him a contender.

Semper Fortis finished closest to Accelerate in the Shared Belief, closing for second a half length back. He picked up an allowance win at Los Alamitos last year and wouldn’t be a surprise on the win end. Curlin Road needed 12 tries to break his maiden and would need continued improvement to make an impact. Mishegas checked in fourth in the Shared Belief and hasn’t contended in stakes company.

Arizona Moon is a stakes winner at Turf Paradise but has tailed off dramatically in his last three starts. Chris and Dave seeks to advance out of the claiming ranks but has his work cut out for him.