Kershaw looks to strike in Los Alamitos debut

With Clayton Kershaw serving as the ace of a talented pitching staff, the Los Angeles Dodgers appear poised to make a deep run this fall. But before the playoffs get underway, the Thoroughbred namesake of the star pitcher will make his career debut at Los Alamitos on Friday.

A $135,000 2-year-old purchase earlier this year, Kershaw will break from the far outside post position against seven opponents in the 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight carded as the 5^TH race (6:58 EDT). The Kentucky-bred bay colt is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller.

Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner, has the mount.

Kershaw is listed as the 7-2 favorite on the morning line and shows some swift works for his unveiling, including a 5-furlong bullet in :59 4/5 at the San Luis Rey Training Center. And he’s bred to be precocious.

His sire, Run Away and Hide, was a multiple graded stakes-winning juvenile and the 11-year-old son of City Zip is making a mark this year with 2-year-olds. His offspring include Run Away, winner of the Best Pal (G2) and Santa Anita Juvenile; and Bashford Manor (G3) victor and Iroquois (G3) third-placer Ten City.

Run Away and Hide stands at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Kershaw is the first foal out of Texit, a daughter of leading Gainesway Farm stallion Tapit.

The competition doesn’t appear imposing and if he has anything in common with the Dodgers’ fireballer, Kershaw has a chance to smoke his rivals Friday.

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