Grade 2 San Luis Rey Features Full Field at Santa Anita

Category :: News

The Grade 2, $200,000 San Luis Rey March 13 at Santa Anita features eleven veteran turfers set to go a mile and a half in a race that will surely present plenty of difficulties and opportunities for handicappers.

Big John B is the tepid 3/1 morning line favorite for trainer Phillip D'Amato, but has dropped his last four races, most recently finishing third in the Grade 3 John Connally January 30 at Sam Houston. The seven year-old gelding has been consistent throughout the course of his career, repeatedly showing his preference for marathon races. The multiple graded stakes winner will break from post 11 with Rafael Bejarano aboard.

Drysdale filly takes on the boys

Gaga A (4/1) will break to the inside of the favorite from post 10 as the Uruguayan-bred mare looks to beat the boys in her fifth North American start. Second last out in the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes, Gaga A will have her work cut out for her, but trainer Neil Drysdale has excelled throughout his career with European imports and finds a good spot for this mare land a graded stakes victory. Gaga A has won 5 of 32 career starts for earnings of $325,175 and appears to be rounding in to her best form. Mario Gutierrez will be aboard.

Other Drysdale import tries to rebound

Drysdale will also saddle 5/1 choice Going Somewhere who will break from post 4 with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith in the irons. The Brazilian bred has won just 3 of 24 starts and will try to rebound following a ninth-place finish in the John Connally Stakes.