Out of Bounds edges Secret Circle in Sham Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Lightly regarded Out of Bounds caught the favorite Secret Circle at the wire to win Saturday's $100,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The early season stakes for three-year-olds begins Santa Anita's Kentucky Derby preps.

Setting the pace in the mile event was 14-1 longshot Longview Drive with the 1-2 favorite Secret Circle stalking the leader. Out of Bounds, ridden by Garrett Gomez, was sitting third or fourth in the five-horse field.

At the top of the stretch Secret Circle, the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint champ, had the lead as Out of Bounds gained ground from the outside, moving into second. Trained by Eoin Harty, Out of Bounds drove down the stretch to finally catch the favorite just before the finish.

Out of Bounds registered a half-length victory over the favorite with Longview Drive holding on to third. Getting fourth was Handsome Mike with 2-1 second choice Hierro in fifth. Senor Rain was scratched.

The time for the Sham Stakes was 1:34.56 on a fast track.

"He did everything really professional for a horse that's only run a couple of times," noted Gomez who has six stakes wins overall at the current Santa Anita meet. "I was excited by his last couple races. He's such a good-sized colt and I thought the two turns would really help him because he's such a long- striding horse. It's just a matter of getting him to understand how to do it the right way. I think he's got enough ability to do it. He showed us all today. He traveled really well, did things the right way, and finished up well."

Out of Bounds, owned by Darley Stable, won for the second time in three starts and picked up $60,000 with Saturday's win. His earnings now stand at $89,700.

"He's a very big horse, but he's a gentle giant," the winning trainer said. "He's come around mentally as well as physically, and sometimes it takes a while for both to catch up. Lucky this horse has the mental attributes as well as the physical attributes."

Out of Bounds returned $22.60, $5.80 and $4.40. Secret Circle paid $2.80 and $2.10, and Longview Drive paid $4.00 to show.