Unbeaten El Gato Malo dazzles in San Rafael

West Point Thoroughbreds' EL GATO MALO (El Corredor) was highly regarded going into Saturday's $150,000 San Rafael S. (G3) at Santa Anita, and the undefeated gelding more than lived up to his reputation with a smashing performance. By storming 6 1/4 lengths clear in a track-record 1:33 1/5 for the Cushion Track mile, the Craig Dollase trainee stamped himself as a major player on the West Coast route to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

"From Day One, this horse has shown that he's got it in him," Dollase enthused. "He's the real deal. It doesn't look like there are any distance limitations for him. He could have gone around there again, I think. He's a special animal."

David Flores, who was riding El Gato Malo for the first time, wisely allowed his mount to settle far off the frenetic early pace in fourth. Up front, 3-2 favorite Massive Drama (Kafwain) reeled off testing fractions of :22 1/5, :44 1/5 and 1:07 4/5 while under constant pressure from Talk of a Cat (Tale of the Cat) and Sierra Sunset (Bertrando). The speedy triumvirate drew as many as nine lengths clear of El Gato Malo on the backstretch, but by the time they reached the far turn, it was clear that their early exploits had left them vulnerable, and the field began to catch up.

After straightening into the lane, Flores unleashed El Gato Malo on the outside, and the dark bay's response was as explosive as it was immediate. He surged to the front in a matter of strides passing the eighth-pole and quickly widened his margin. El Gato Malo switched back to his left lead in deep stretch, but it hardly mattered, as his superiority was by now firmly entrenched. Sent off as the nearly 5-2 second choice in the six-horse field, the decisive winner returned $6.80, $4.40 and $2.60.

"I saw there was going to be a lot of speed, but I didn't think there would be that much speed," Flores said. "It was like there were three bullets in there. I was patient, and when I pushed the button, he was there for me. They were coming back to me, and my horse was full of run. I don't know how much he's got left, but he had plenty today."

Indian Sun (Indian Charlie) rallied from last for runner-up honors, prevailing over a gutsy Massive Drama by three-quarters of a length. The 9-1 Indian Sun gave back $6.20 and $3 while completing the $23.70 exacta ($1). Massive Drama furnished $2.20 to show and rounded out the $71.30 trifecta (1-5-6) ($1). It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Sierra Sunset in fourth, followed by Talk of a Cat and Overbid (Pulpit). Spinning Sound (Ire) (Spinning World) was withdrawn.

El Gato Malo now boasts a perfect three-for-three record with $160,200 in earnings. Yet to be seriously challenged, he dominated a Hollywood Park maiden by 5 1/2 lengths before venturing north to Golden Gate Fields, where he rolled to a 4 1/4-length score in the Gold Rush S.

Bred in Kentucky by Kenneth C. Roberts, El Gato Malo was purchased for $95,000 as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Sale. His name, which means "The Bad Cat," alludes to his dam, the winning One Bad Cat (Mountain Cat). El Gato Malo is a full brother to the stakes-placed Cotton Bay as well as an unnamed yearling filly, and he has an unnamed juvenile half-sister by Saarland.

Dollase said that El Gato Malo would likely aim for the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe S. (G2) at Santa Anita on March 15. The talented three-year-old's owners are already entertaining Kentucky Derby dreams.

"This horse is something," beamed Jeff Bloom, vice president of West Coast Thoroughbreds. "That first Saturday in May is looking pretty promising."