Calculator Seeks First Career Win in Sham

Richard C. Pell's Calculator, coming off two straight grade I runner-up finishes, will be seeking his first career victory when he faces seven challengers Jan. 10 in the $100,000 Sham Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park.

Carded as the sixth race on a nine-race card, the one-mile Sham is part of the "Road to the Kentucky Derby," offering 10-4-2-1 Derby points to the respective first- through fourth-place finishers.

Second behind top rated 3-year-old American Pharoah in the Del Mar Futurity and FrontRunner Stakes (both gr. I), the Florida-bred colt by In Summation   has two seconds and a third from four starts for trainer Peter Miller. With a bankroll of $133,500, he is the leading earner in the Sham field.

Well back early in his first two starts, in which he finished third and fourth, respectively, in maiden special weight company, Calculator was closer to the pace in his next two outings and most recently was 3 1/4 lengths behind American Pharoah in the Sept. 27 FrontRunner.

Miller will also saddle Rock Shandy, who comes off a third-place finish in the grade III, one-mile turf Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 30. A maiden special weight winner going a mile on grass Nov. 7, the Kentucky-bred ridgling by Lemon Drop Kid   will be making his fourth start and his first on dirt. He's owned by Donegal Racing.

Miller's third entrant in the Sham is St. Joe Bay, a close third two starts back in the grade III, seven-furlong Bob Hope Stakes on Polytrack at Del Mar Nov. 15. A Florida-bred colt by Saint Anddan, St. Joe Bay was a 10 1/2-length gate-to-wire maiden winner going a mile at Santa Anita in his second start Oct. 17.

Owned by Altimira Racing Stable and David Bernsen, St. Joe Bay's speed and proven ability to route on dirt stamp him as a live contender in the Sham.

An improving Rockinatten could be the primary speed horse in the Sham, as the Florida-bred son of High Cotton   pressed the pace before running off to an 8 3/4-length maiden special weight win at seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park West Oct. 26.  Previously trained by Ralph Nicks, Rockinatten is now in the shedrow of Doug O'Neill as he makes his first attempt around two turns in his fourth start.