Roman Ruler Colt Looks to 'Score'

Hans Poetsch's I Will Score (Roman Ruler) is one of several former GI Kentucky Derby hopefuls who looks to return to their best previous form in the seven-furlong GIII Lazaro Barrera S. at Santa Anita Saturday. Opening his account with a pair of wins sprinting, the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee finished third when routing for the first time in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Feb. 6 and failed to fire when a well-beaten sixth in the GII San Felipe S. five weeks later. Cut back to six furlongs last time, the homebred was second best to late-running Counterforce (Smart Strike) in a speedy renewal of in Oaklawn's Bachelor S. Apr. 15.

One week after winning the GI Kentucky Derby with unbeaten champion Nyquist (Uncle Mo), Doug O'Neill has two chances at another successful Saturday with Denman's Call (Northern Afleet) and Mrazek (Square Eddie). A debut winner in Arcadia Jan. 9, Denman's Call was third behind Derby top two Nyquist and Exaggerator (Curlin) in the GII San Vicente S. Feb. 15 and was second in the San Pedro S. Mar. 20. The gelding never factored when a soundly beaten sixth behind an impressive performance from Exaggerator when routing for the first time in the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 9. Never worse than second in five starts, Mrazek captured the state-bred Graduation S. at Del Mar Aug. 5 and was subsequently shelved. Returning in an Apr. 21 optional claimer at Los Alamitos, the chestnut was a respectable second behind undefeated “TDN Rising Star” Justin Squared (Zensational).

Irvin Racing Stable's Smokey Image (Southern Image) spent the early part of his young career crushing horses on the fair circuit and beating up on fellow Cal-breds. Transferred from Greg James to Carla Gaines, the flashy chestnut romped in his two-turn debut in the California Cup Derby Jan. 30 and was stepped up to the big leagues, finishing fifth in the San Felipe and a non-factor seventh in the Santa Anita Derby. Also of interest is Little Red Father Racing's Westbrook (Congrats), who donned cap and gown at first asking at Los Al Apr. 17.