(February 8, 2004) Action This Day finished fourth Sunday in Santa Anita's Sham Stakes. Making his three year old debut in one mile and an eighth race, he was beaten about two lengths by the Bobby Frankel trained Master David. Master David came off a strong third place finish in the January 17 Santa Catalina (GII), where he was making his first start for Frankel.

In the Santa Catalina Master David broke slowly, but today he was out of the gate very well. Jockey Alex Solis settled his mount nicely in second just off of pacesetter Gethsemani, with Victor Espinoza up. These two moved together down the backstretch, while Action This Day was allowed to run in last, some eight lengths behind the leaders. On the far turn, Master David put his head in front as Gethsemani began to fade. Borrego, with Tyler Baze up, made a bold move on the turn, taking the lead as the field entered the stretch. Solis went to work on Master David, and he responded gamely down the stretch, hitting the wire a little more than a length in front of Borrego. Preachinatthebar finished another neck back in third.

Action This Day, the two year old champion, closed well to be fourth. Jockey David Flores began his move with the Eclipse Award winner on the far turn, swinging five wide into the strecth. Action This Day ran on willingly, but could not get to the leaders.

Master David is nominated to the Visa Triple Crown. Solis said after the race that the horse settled nicely on his own out of the gate, and that, "going longer is going to benefit him".

This was Master David's second win from six lifetime starts, his other being a maiden two year old race in England. He was previously trained by Brian Meehan. Frankel will now likely point the winner to the Florida Derby on March 13. Master David increased his lifetime earnings to $118,756.

Going off as the even money favorite, Master David paid $4.20, $3.20, and $2.80. The $2 exacta paid $16.60.

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