Champion sprinter Roy H booked his ticket to Dubai following a rousing first-up victory in the Palos Verdes Stakes Gr.2 at Santa Anita on Saturday.

The More Than Ready gelding was given an easy task in a four-horse field after tracking the speed until the home turn.  “He did it very easy,” jockey Kent Desormeaux said.  “I just let him finish up the last half-mile.  This guy is a super horse – the best sprinter I’ve ever ridden.”

Roy H (6g More Than Ready – Elusive Diva by Elusive Quality) breezed home by three lengths in his first appearance since winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint Gr.1 in November.  The win also sealed his Eclipse Award as Champion Sprinter of North America for 2017.

Trainer Peter Miller confirmed Roy H will run in the Triple Bend Hcp Gr.1 at Santa Anita on March 10 before flying out for the Golden Shaheen Gr.1 at Meydan on March 31.

The Palos Verdes improved his record to 7 wins in 18 starts for $1.48 million in prizemoney.  He was a $115,000 buy for Gary Hartunian and David Bernsen at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale.

More Than Ready’s 3yo colts Catholic Boy and Copper Bullet are also getting mobile ahead of the Kentucky Derby Gr.1 on May 5.

Catholic Boy won the With Anticipation Stakes Gr.3 at Saratoga in August and then recovered from a tardy start to finish fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Gr.1 at Del Mar.  He bounced back with a powerful four-length victory in the Remsen Stakes Gr.2 at Aqueduct in December.

Trainer Jonathon Thomas has Catholic Boy ready to resume in the Sam F Davis Stakes Gr.3 at Tampa Bay this Saturday, February 10.

Copper Bullet streaked away to an 8-length maiden win at Churchill Downs in May before going four lengths clear in the Saratoga Special Gr.2 in August.   An exciting prospect, he pulled up shin-sore and was put aside instead of staying in work for the Breeders’ Cup.

Trainer Steve Asmussen will nominate Copper Bullet for the Risen Star Stakes Gr.2 at Fair Grounds on February 17.

More Than Ready is coming off a successful Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale where he had fillies make $650,000 and $500,000.  There are 5 yearlings by the Vinery legend catalogued for this weekend’s Inglis Classic yearling sale starting with a filly from Riva Del Mar (Lot 14) who is related to Doomben Slipper LR winner Chickens.

ROY H