Aristocratic a three-year-old son by Malibu Moon out of Castleton resident mare Ask Me When powered to an easy win in the six-furlong San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita earlier tonight. Kaleem Shah’s charge broke alertly for jockey Rafael Bejarano and cruised home by 4 1/2 lengths to stamp him as one of the better sprinters at this stage on the west coast. Prior to this race the colt had run disappointingly in a similar race at Oaklawn. However trainer Doug O’Neill reported that Aristocratic had become upset in the gate at the Arkansas venue but since then he had taken time to extensively school him back on his home track. That homework paid off in great style in the San Pedro and handicappers will keep an eye on this colt as the summer program of sprints opens up for sophomores. Ask Me When has a Smart Strike juvenile half-brother that will carry the Castleton green silks with Christophe Clement. She also has a Gio Ponti filly yearling and is carrying a full to Aristocratic that will be born very soon.
