Going Wild certainly answered the questions about his ability to strech his considerable speed with a gate-to-wire victory in Saturday's 1 1/8 mile Sham Stakes at Santa Anita.

After Going Wild's nose victory in last month's San Miguel, trainer D. Wayne Lukas was quoted as saying that his colt would be able to build off the win, particularly after losing some training time due to all the rain in southern California in early January. Lukas would prove himself correct, as Going Wild broke alertly from post seven, getting a length lead after a quarter mile, increasing the advantage to two lengths after getting 3/4 of a mile in a solid, yet not taxing, 1:10.68. At that point, Uncle Denny was first to take a shot at the leader, but was unable to make up ground, winding up fourth. Papi Chullo and Giacomo, the 7-5 favorite, made moves in the stretch, but neither really threatened the leader, and finished second and third, respectively.

Interestingly, the top four finishers did not change positions in the stretch, indicating that their first try at the nine furlongs was taxing on the entire group. Uncle Denny, Chekhov, Salty Humor, Southern Africa, Cadillac Cruiser and Devil's Bay completed the order of finish. General John B and Iced Out were scratched. Doug O'Neill actually worked Iced Out six furlongs Saturday morning; likely deciding on a different plan for his colt.

Going Wild, with Victor Espinoza up, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.18 and paid $12.20, $8 and $4.20. Papi Chullo, Patrick Valenzuela riding, paid $12.60 and $5.40. Giacomo, ridden by Mike Smith, paid $2.40 to show.

Lukas said Going Wild would be pointed to the $200,000 Santa Catalina Stakes (gr. II) on March 5. That 1 1/16-mile race is scheduled to mark the 2005 debut of Declan's Moon. Lukas said Going Wild's lineage, out of the Strawberry Road mare Pola, is suited to longer distances.

"His pedigree does not dictate six, seven furlongs," the trainer said. "It's full of distance horses, a mile and a half, a mile and a quarter horses, so we might have a talented horse here that can get the two turns. He should be able to build off that and get better."

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