Sham pits El Gato Malo, Colonel John

El Gato Malo will continue his Triple Crown quest on Saturday (Charles Pravata/Horsephotos.com)

Unbeaten EL GATO MALO (El Corredor) and CashCall Futurity (G1) runner-up
COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) are the top draws in Saturday’s $200,000 Sham S. (G3) at
Santa Anita. Seven sophomores will contest the 1 1/8-mile event, which serves as
a set-up for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 5.

El Gato Malo broke his maiden by 5 1/2 lengths at Hollywood Park in
mid-November and captured the Gold Rush S. in mid-December at Golden Gate
Fields. The Craig Dollase-trained gelding made his graded debut in the San Rafael S.
(G3) on January 12 and blew past his rivals into the stretch, winning
impressively by 6 1/4 lengths. David Flores will retain the mount on the dark
bay.

Colonel John broke his maiden at Santa Anita last October and then won the 1
1/16-mile Real Quiet S. at Hollywood Park, closing fast from off the pace for a
three-length decision. The Eoin Harty runner offered a good rally for runner-up
honors in the CashCall Futurity in late December, and Colonel John will make his
three-year-old bow on Saturday. Garrett Gomez will replace the injured Corey
Nakatani in the irons.

COAST GUARD (Stormy Atlantic) and REFLECT TIMES (French Deputy), the
respective second- and third-place finishes in the February 2 Robert B. Lewis S.
(G2), will both return for the Sham, and California Derby third-placer VICTORY
PETE (Five Star Day) figures to add to the pace.