Annette Jasko Photo

American Anthem faces tough test in $125K Stymie

by Najja Thompson

Set to make his first start following a fourth-place effort in the Grade 3 Toboggan on January 18 at Aqueduct Racetrack, multiple graded stakes winner American Anthem will face a formidable field of seven in Saturday's $125,000 Stymie, a one-turn mile for 4-year-olds and upward at the Big A.

One of four stakes races on the day highlighted by the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham for 3-year-olds, the Stymie will also be joined by the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool for 4-year-olds and up, as well as the $250,000 Busher Invitational for 3-year-old fillies. America's Day at the Races will have live coverage from 5:30-7 p.m. Eastern on FS2 and will also air from 5:40-6:30 p.m. on MSG+.

Purchased for $145,000 by Don Tiger at the Keeneland November Mixed Breeding Stock Sale in November, American Anthem made his first 14 starts under the care of Hall of Fame conditioner Bob Baffert, winning the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera at Santa Anita Park and Grade 2 Woody Stephens at Belmont Park as a 3-year-old in 2017.

After capturing the Grade 2 San Carlos at Santa Anita as a 4-year-old, he ran third in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien at Del Mar Racetrack last August before being transferred to trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Joining the barn of conditioner Danny Gargan in November, he made his first start for his new connections in the Toboggan.

"He really had a rough trip in his first start for us in the Toboggan," said Gargan. "He was jostled around inside of there and this time I'd like to utilize his speed. Hopefully, we'll be on the lead and can run the half in either :47 [seconds] or :48 which would really make me feel great. He's coming into the race in good form, so I like our chances. Going forward, I'd eventually like to get him on the grass where I think he'll do well, but we'll start here and look to run a good race on Saturday."

Reunited with Manny Franco, American Anthem will leave from post 4.

Michael and Jeff Fazio's Joevia will look to improve off a disappointing 11th-place finish in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap on February 17 at Oaklawn Park.

The 4-year-old Shanghai Bobby colt ran third in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes last year to finish his 2019 campaign and kicked off his season with a one-length optional claiming victory on January 17 at Aqueduct. Returning for the Stymie in less than a month from his Oaklawn performance, Sacco said he is drawing a line through that race.

"He shipped well, but he was very keyed up at Oaklawn and never really settled," said Sacco. "It was a very uncharacteristic race out of him. We went back to the barn and I expected to see a horse that was blowing hard and tired, but he cooled down in 15 minutes and wasn't drinking any water. He shipped to Darby Dan and when I spoke to the team there, he was bright eyed and happy and he's been happy since coming back to Belmont."

Making a rider change from Junior Alvarado to Chris DeCarlo for the Stymie, Sacco cited DeCarlo's early success with Joevia for the switch.

"Chris knows him well," said Sacco. "He broke his maiden and finished second on him in the Jimmy Winkfield."

Joevia will depart from post 3.

After finishing second to highly regarded New York-bred Mr. Buff in the Jazil at 1 1/8 miles on January 25, Backsideofthemoon will also cut back in distance for the Stymie.

The 8-year-old Malibu Moon gelding was claimed in November of 2019 for owner Charles Hallas and trainer Bob Klesaris. With three wins and four second-place finishes from 14 starts at the distance, Klesaris, who opted to scratch from last Saturday's Bernardini in favor of the one-turn mile, said he is hoping for a strong early pace to set up well for Backsideofthemoon.

"He's a really consistent horse," said Klesaris. "He runs his race every time. Last out, Mr. Buff just kind of got away from the rest of the field. We opted to scratch from the Bernardini because with his style as a closer we think he'll be more effective in the one-turn mile. Hopefully, we'll get the pace that sets up for him."

With Eric Cancel aboard, Backsideofthemoon will leave from post 7.

Also entered is Wicked Trick [Jose Lezcano, post 5] for conditioner Linda Rice, making his stakes debut off a six-race win streak for conditioner Linda Rice, who also owns with Stephen Cooper; Diamond King [Kendrick Carmouche, post 6] for Cash Is King Stable and trainer John Servis; Stan the Man [Dylan Davis, post 1] for trainer John Terranova and owner Long Lake Stable; and Lone Rock [Junior Alvarado, post 2] for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and Shortleaf Stable.

The Stymie is slated as Race 7 on Saturday's 10-race card. First post time is 1:30 p.m. Eastern.