Prise’-d Possession

Glen Hill Farm’s Enterprising (Elusive Quality) looks to get back to his winning ways against 11 other sophomore colts and geldings in today’s GII Twilight Derby at Santa Anita.

The homebred struck from close range to take the one-mile Pasadena S. at this track Mar. 22, but was overturned by Flamboyant (Fr) (Peer Gynt {Jpn}) and GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint aspirant Home Run Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) in the La Puente S. over the track and this trip Apr. 19. Enterprising could not have been more impressive in showing uncommon acceleration to take the July 17 Oceanside S. by a neck and the GII La Jolla H. by 1 1/4 lengths, but makes his first start since a sixth to Midnight Storm (Pioneerof the Nile), Sawyer’s Hill (Spring at Last) and Talco (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) in the GII Del Mar Derby Aug. 31. 

Following his La Puente score, Flamboyant ventured cross-country for a pair of starts at Belmont, a runner-up effort in the May 26 Pennine Ridge S. ahead of a strong third behind Mr Speaker (Pulpit) and recent G1 Cox Plate hero Adelaide (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the GI Belmont Derby July 5. The interestingly bred colt was last of eight in the Del Mar Derby, but is a bounce-back candidate with Joel Rosario retaining the ride.

Ring Weekend (Tapit) was under consideration for the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile off victories in Saratoga’s GIII Saranac S. Sept. 1 and the GIII Hill Prince S. at Belmont Oct. 4, both going this distance. The chestnut has never finished out of the exacta in four starts on the grass and should have something to say about today’s outcome.