Peter Miller is on the fence for Comma to the Top’s next race,
considering both the Grade I, $300,000 Malibu at seven furlongs on the
dirt and the Grade II, $150,000 Sir Beaufort Stakes at one mile on turf.
Both races are for 3-year-olds on opening day, next Monday.
“We’re nominated to both races,” Miller said. “I’m going to talk
with the owners and see if we can’t come up with a consensus on where we
should run. We’ll make a decision on entry day, this Wednesday. We’ll
try and see who’s going where and then decide.”
Comma to the Top, a Florida-bred gelding by the Indian Charlie
sire Bwana Charlie, won an allowance race by 3 ½ lengths in his most
recent start, Dec. 11, on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track. Earlier this
year he was second by a head to Midnight Interlude in the Grade I Santa
Anita Derby, leading until the shadow of the wire.
A committed front-runner, Comma to the Top won his only grass
start, the Grade III Generous Stakes, at Hollywood on Nov. 27 last year.
In 16 starts, Comma to the Top has seven wins and two seconds, with
earnings of $812,200 for owners Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum and Kevin
Tsujihara.
Probable for the Sir Beaufort: Irish Art, Joes Blazing Aaron,
Mr. Commons, Northern Causeway, Pathfork, Thirtyfirststreet and
Venomous.