FrontRunner S.

Gormley made his stakes debut a winning effort, scoring a three-length, front-running win in the $300,000 FrontRunner Stakes Oct. 1 at Santa Anita Park to earn a spot in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile starting gate.

Trained by John Shirreffs for owners Jerry and Ann Moss, Gormley broke well from the rail under Victor Espinoza and cruised through a quarter-mile in :23.72 and a half-mile in :47.18. The son of Malibu Moon opened a big advantage in the far turn and was not seriously threatened by 1-5 favorite and Del Mar Futurity winner Klimt, who rallied for second. Straight Fire came in another 4 ½ lengths back in third.

Gormley improved to two-for-two, completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.57. He returned $23.60 to win, $5 to place, and $3 to show while Klimt paid $2.20 and $2.10. Straight Fire paid $2.20 to show.

Gormley won his maiden special weight debut going 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 4 at Del Mar and easily made the jump to Grade 1 winner.

"You know, it's always a surprise as you train in the morning and you hope they can improve in the afternoon. You don't ever know until the afternoon," Shirreffs said. “After you've won your first race you settle in and you just move on. He's a young horse, he's learning. He needs to focus a little bit and once he gets focused he's got it handled.”

Longshot Secret House was declared a non-starter because the gates opened while jockey Santiago Gonzalez had stood up to get off the horse and get resituated. Secret House broke from the gate without a rider. All money wagered on Secret House was refunded. – Frank Angst