SLIDER DRIFTS WIDE AT TOP OF LANE, RE-RALLIES TO TAKE $100,000 SPEAKEASY STAKES BY 1 ¼ LENGHTHS AS HE GETS 5 FURLONGS ON TURF IN 55.96

$1 MILLION BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT LIKELY NEXT ON NOV. 3 AT SANTA ANITA

ARCADIA, CA (Oct. 7, 2023)—Although he drifted very wide turning for home, John Sadler’s Slider was all business from there to the wire, as re-took the lead from Irish-bred Dark Vintage to win going away by 1 ¼ lengths in Saturday’s $100,000 Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita. On turf for the first time today in his third start, Slider got five furlongs over a firm surface in 55.96.

Breaking from post position two in a field of 10, Slider was immediately in control on the front end, but appeared to shy from something leaving the quarter pole, creating a huge opening at the rail for Dark Vintage, who took the lead by a length but was collared with about 60 yards to run.

A three-length maiden winner going 5 ½ furlongs on dirt at Del Mar on Sept. 9, Slider was heavily favored at 4-5 and paid $3.80, $2.80 and $2.20.

Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Hall Racing, LLC and Pearl Racing, Slider, a bay colt by Jimmy Creed out of the Congrats mare Days Like This, is likely headed now to the Grade I, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

With the winner’s share of $60,000, he now has earnings of $125,600.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Dark Vintage was third heading to the quarter pole and nearly pulled off a considerable upset. Off at 4-1 he paid $3.80 and $3.00.

April Vintage, one of two fillies in the lineup, rallied from off the pace to out-finish 100-1 shot Des Doigts by a neck and paid $5.40 to show while off at 15-1 with Antonio Fresu up.

Fractions on the race were 21.20 and 44.34.