Kentucky Deby Hopeful El Gato Malo Faces Challenges at Sham

A number of Kentucky Derby hopefuls will run in this Saturday's Sham Stakes. (AP Images)

This Saturday, Santa Anita will host the Sham Stakes $200,000 (Gr. 3) and a number of Derby hopefuls including El Gato Malo, Colonel John and Coast Guard. El Gato Malo will be coming in with an unbeaten streak to maintain on his first 1 1/8 mile race. Not only is distance a factor in this race, but Colonel John, another popular contender for the Kentucky Derby stands to challenge El Gato Malo.

Colonel John hasn’t run a race since the CashCall Futurity on Dec. 22 where he finished second to Into Mischief.

“He takes his races well, but he does lighten up between them.” Said Eoin Harty, Colonel John's trainer, “He's a very sensible horse. He's an easy horse to get fit and keep fit. I felt I could get away with two preps rather than three or four."

Coast Guard and Reflect Times are included in the five other horses taking part in the race on Saturday; they were also second and third in the Robert Lewis Stakes four weeks ago.

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