Grade 2 hero HIGH LIMIT (Maria’s Mon) and Grade 1 runner-up BUCKLAND MANOR (Bien
Bien) will each be returning off layoffs on Saturday when a field of seven goes
to the post in the $150,000 San Pasqual H. (G2) at Santa Anita. The former will be
coming off a longer break, having made his last start in the September 5 Del Mar
Derby (G2), and the Bobby Frankel charge will be looking to snap a six-race
losing streak.
High Limit made a name for himself last year on the Triple Crown Trail,
capturing the Louisiana Derby (G2) in his stakes debut before running second in
the Blue Grass S. (G1). After a bumpy start and unplaced finish in the Kentucky
Derby (G1), though, the bay seemed to tail off a bit. His final two starts as a
sophomore came on the turf, and he could show much more on Saturday while
returning to the dirt.
Buckland Manor has been close in many big events, but only owns one stakes
win, that coming in the 2003 Sir Beaufort S. The six-year-old veteran has spent
the majority of his career on the turf, showing placings in the Frank E. Kilroe
Mile H. (G1) and Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile S. (G2), with the last coming as
his final start of 2005. His Sir Beaufort win, however, came on the dirt, as did
his close third in the 2004 Strub S. (G2), so a return to the main track may be just
what the chestnut needs to break through in the graded ranks.
The complete field for the 8 1/2-furlong San Pasqual, with riders and
weights, is BULLY HAYES (Sultry Song), Alex Solis, 115; MELANYHASTHEPAPERS (Game
Plan), Tyler Baze, 113; TURNBOLT (Deputy Minister), Corey Nakatani, 113;
SPELLBINDER (Tale of the Cat), Martin Pedroza, 115; Buckland Manor, Kent
Desormeaux, 116; High Limit, Pat Valenzuela, 116; and SAM FORLI (Chi) (Sam M.),
Jose Valdivia Jr., 113.
Also set for Saturday is the $100,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3) for newly turned
three-year-old fillies. SABATINI (Five Star Day) was well regarded going into
her last start, the Hollywood Starlet (G1), but finished third behind 39-1
longshot Diplomat Lady (Forestry). Among those she’ll face on Saturday is listed winner I CAN SEE (Flying Chevron), who has spent her past seven races competing
against stakes company.
INCUMBENT (Carson City) will lead the post parade under a 115-pound impost in
the 1 1/16-mile Santa Ysabel. Jockey Javier Santiago has the call and they’ll be
followed by SWEET FOURTY (Sweetsouthernsaint), Victor Espinoza, 115; I Can See,
Kerwin John, 117; HORSE B WITH YOU (Slewdledo), Nakatani, 115; MISS FURY
(Unbridled’s Song), Alex Bisono, 115; Sabatini, Garrett Gomez, 115; and ITTY
BITTY PRETTY (El Corredor), Valenzuela, 115.