Mike Smith finished third aboard Calimonco in his lone ride aboard
the son of Storm Cat, in the Grade II Citation Handicap at 1 1/16 miles
on turf Nov. 26. He was beaten less than three lengths by the victorious
Jeranimo, who was in peak form for the race.
The Hall of Fame rider reunites with the John Sadler-trained
Calimonco in Sunday’s Daytona Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf, a
distance better-suited to the son of Storm Cat, Smith says.
“I got through on the fence; it was a really good race,” Smith
recalled of the Citation. “The horse that beat him, Jeranimo, is running
out of his skin. To get beat a couple lengths by him is by no means a
disgrace. The Daytona looks like a tough race, but 6 1/2 down the hill
should be perfect for Calimonco. He should love it.”
Probable for the Grade III Daytona: Calimonco, Mike Smith; Caracortado, Rafael Bejarano;
Mr Gruff, Joel Rosario; Regally Ready, Corey Nakatani; and Silver Summation, Garrett Gomez.