Desmond Doss Prominent In Sensational Star

ARCADIA, CA – Nick Alexander homebred Desmond Doss, trainer Craig Dollase’s Brandothebartender, Peter Eurton’s Jetovator, and Andrew Lerner’s Jamming Eddy all rate big chances among a wide-open field of seven older horses bred or sired in California going 6 furlongs on turf in Sunday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes at Santa Anita.

Named for the conscientious objector that would become a World War II Medal of Honor winner, Desmond Doss shortens up off a big second going 1 mile on dirt to multiple stakes winner Fashionably Fast in the statebred Tiznow Stakes here on February 28. Sent to the lead after breaking slowly and faced with intense pressure throughout, Desmond Doss, a 5-year-old full horse by Grazen, went head and head with Fashionably Fast the final 3/16 of a mile and missed by a head in a thriller while holding Brandothebartender off by the same margin for second money.

With a win and 2 seconds on dirt at the current meet, Desmond Doss should handle the transition to turf without any problem, as he has 2 wins from 5 turf starts at Santa Anita. A first condition allowance winner from off the pace versus statebreds going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf 7 starts back on January 5, 2020, Desmond Doss, who has routed in his last 2 starts, will hope to be rolling late under regular rider Abel Cedillo.

Trained by Steve Miyadi, Desmond Doss, who is out of the Malek mare Malley Girl, will be seeking his first stakes win in what will be his fifth added money assignment.  With an overall mark of 10-3-2-0, he has earnings of $161,951.

Last in a field of five, 2 1/4 lengths off the Tiznow lead after the first 1/4-mile, Brandothebartender appeared to have had a dream trip but couldn’t collar the top two on the money. An 8-year-old gelding by Tribal Rule, “Brando” will be making his fourth appearance in the Sensational Star, a race in which he’s managed two third-place finishes, in 2019 and 2020. 

Winless in 4 starts at the current meet, Brandothebartender’s lone stakes win came at 5 furlongs over the Santa Anita turf in the California Flag Handicap at age five in October, 2018. Owned by Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan, and Michael Jarvis, Brandothebartender, who is 41-6-6-15, will be ridden for the fourth consecutive time by Umberto Rispoli and will hope to be rolling late as he cuts back in distance from a pair of main track routes.

Jetovator comes off a super 2 1/4-length win versus open allowance company at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf here February 20 and will no doubt get plenty of betting attention as he shortens up 1/16 of a mile with Ruben Fuentes up. A 6-furlong turf Cal-bred allowance winner on December 27, he’s won 2 out of his last 3 starts and appears more than ready for his first stakes assignment on Sunday.

Bred in California by Sharon Alesia and Ciaglia Racing, LLC, Jetovator, a 5-year-old gelding by Grazen, is out of the Gimmeawink mare Jet Blue Girl and is 10-3-1-3 over the course. With an overall mark of 18-3-4-5, he’s owned by Ciaglia Racing, LLC and SAF Racing.  Look for Jetovator to blast off early and employ front-running tactics, as he did in his February 20 win.

Fifth, beaten 4 3/4 lengths going 6 furlongs on dirt by ultra impressive repeat winner Brickyard Ride 2 starts back in the Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint on January 16, Jamming Eddy was subsequently claimed for $40,000 out of a second-place finish as the 8/5 favorite going 6 1/2 furlongs on turf February 21 by trainer Andrew Lerner. With leading rider Flavien Prat sticking with him, Jamming Eddy looms a serious threat in what will be his second stakes assignment.

A 5-year-old gelding by Square Eddie out of the Tapit mare Walkingonadream, Jamming Eddie is 26-4-4-6 overall.

Royal Trump, Margot’s Boy, and Prodigal Son round out the field.

The Sensational Star is race 7 of 9 on the card and has an approximate post time of 4:30 PM Pacific.