Sunday, February 7, 2010

Sunday preview: Solid field in San Antonio

After yesterday's stakes-rich card was rained out, Santa Anita returns to action today and hosts a solid field in the Grade II San Antonio Handicap.


Mast Track has a high cruising speed that can put him on or near the lead and he'll be dangerous if he gets loose. The winner of the 2008 Hollywood Gold Cup, he took the Grade III Native Diver in December for trainer Humberto Asicano, who took over following the death of Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel. He was then transferred to trainer John Shirreffs. Mike Smith will be aboard and they leave from the three.


Richard's Kid, a synthetic specialist, scored an upset in the Grade I Pacific Classic last summer but hasn't won since, turning in a good effort in the Goodwood before struggling in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Trainer Bob Baffert would like to head for the Dubai World Cup if Richard's Kid performs well here; he'll give Garrett Gomez a leg up, and the pair drew post 8.


Furthest Land, winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, will look to atone after finishing last as the favorite in the Grade II San Pasqual Handicap. Trainer Mike Maker wasn't pleased with the ride Gomez turned in in that race; Julien Leparoux, who rode Furthest Land to the Breeders' Cup win, is back aboard today. They leave from the outside post, 11.


Also in the mix are turf specialist Marsh Side (Joel Rosario, post 2), last year's San Fernando winner Nownownow (Joe Talamo, post 10) and the consistent Dakota Phone (Martin Garcia, post 7).


Santa Anita's three graded stakes from yesterday's card - the Grade I Las Virgenes and the Grade II Strub and Robert B. Lewis - have been rescheduled for Feb. 13.

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Interactif makes his 3-year-old debut in the Grade III Hallandale Beach at Gulfstream, a mile and sixteenth affair on the turf.


The colt won the With Anticipation on the turf at Saratoga last summer, then took the Grade III Bourbon at Keeneland. He was last seen finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.


Kent Desormeaux will be aboard for Todd Pletcher.

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