Three Graded Races Over The Holiday Weekend At Santa Anita
A trio of graded races will take place over the Holiday weekend at Santa Anita Park. In Saturday’s $150,000 Palos Verdes S. (G2), a fine field of some of the top sprinters on the West Coast will do battle in this dash. Grade 1 winner and Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up The Lumber Guy didn’t fire in his first try for Neil Drysdale last time, but the four-year-old clearly has ability and class, and could turn things around in this spot. The gray son of Grand Slam has posted a few nice morning moves in advance of this and will be a major player.
Private Zone was a tough luck second in the Malibu S. (G1) most recently and could once again be the one to catch for Doug O’Neill. Vanderbilt H. (G1) runner-up Justin Philip, once-beaten Fast Bullet, a dynamic allowance winner last time, the superb Comma to the Top and Grade 2 winner Capital Account, add to the depth and quality of this field.
Sunday will play host to the $150,000 La Canada S. (G2) for fillies and mares. Recent La Brea S. (G1) queen Book Review, Bayakoa S. (G2) queen Lady of Fifty, rising star Maker or Breaker and Grade 1 starlet Willa B Awesome, are the main players in this field.
The Monday headliner is the $150,000 Santa Ynez S. (G2), for sophomore fillies at 6 ½ furlongs on the main oval. Potential juvenile champion Beholder will be making her sophomore debut in this spot for trainer Richard Mandella. The classy daughter of Henny Hughes was a fine winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile fillies (G1) last time and has trained fast since, hinting that she may be ready for a big showing in here. Garrett Gomez will once again guide the millionaire. She looks tons the best of this potential field.