SOPHOMORES GET THEIR START IN SHAM AT SANTA ANITA
Some of the top three-year-old prospects out west will try to prove they belong they should advance to the next step on the Derby trail in the $100,000 Sham S. (G2) on Saturday.
Also on Saturday, a solid field is expected to contest the $150,000 San Pasqual H. (G2). Grade 1 hero Coil is set to make his finale career start in this race for trainer Bob Baffert. The talented son of Point Given has proven his versatility in winning graded races at one and two-turn events, and he should be cranked up well following a nice third in the Cigar Mile H. (G1) most recently. The Florida-bred could challenge for the lead early, or settle and make a big run in the lane.
Grade 1 star Ultimate Eagle came off a long layoff since the spring to be a nice second in the Citation H. (G2) in his latest test, and the four-year-old son of Mizzen Mast will almost surely be winging it on the front end for trainer Michael Pender. Multiple graded stakes placed Tres Borrachos, the speedy Mile High Magic, Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) fourth John Scott and Grade 1 victor Jaycito, are among the top threats to the likely favorite.
The Sunday feature at The Great Race Place is the grassy, $150,000 Monrovia H. (G2) down the Hillside Turf Course. Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2) star Mizdirection, speedy stakes heroine Kindle, the hard-trying Byrama and multiple stakes star Broken Dreams are the top draws likely for this race.