OBRIGADO (Fr) (Enrique) ran third in last year’s San Marcos S. (G2) prior to
a half-length victory in the San Luis Obispo H. (G2), and is using the same
route this time around in his quest for a title defense in the 1 1/2-mile turf
test. The Neil Drysdale charge was fourth in the Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) to end
his four-year-old campaign, and opened 2008 with another third in the San
Marcos. He’ll face 10 rivals in Saturday’s edition of the San Luis Obispo at
Santa Anita and will keep Rafael Bejarano in the irons.
SPRING HOUSE (Chester House) earned his first graded score when taking
the Carleton F. Burke H. (G3) in late October, and began 2008 with a third in
the Hollywood Turf Cup last out, both of which came at 1 1/2 miles. The Julio
Canani-trained gelding appears to have found his niche at 12 furlongs, also
finishing third in the Sunset H. (G2) going that same distance, and will have to
tote 116 pounds with Garrett Gomez aboard on Saturday.
ON THE ACORN (GB) (Inchinor [GB]) returns in this spot off a 287-day break,
but captured his last two races in the San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2)
and Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2). The gelded seven-year-old finished a nose back
of the runner-up in last year’s San Luis Obispo, but was promoted to second
after being carried out in the stretch. Jockey Victor Espinoza will attempt to
give the Mike Mitchell charge a better trip this time around.
A new face in the San Luis Obispo will be ROCKET LEGS (Dynaformer), who was a
head in front of Obrigado when runner-up in the San Marcos last out. That was the dark bay four-year-old’s first stakes attempt, and he’ll try to keep his
current momentum going in here.
PORFIDO (Chi) (Mash One [Chi]) will lead the post parade under a 114-pound
impost that includes jockey David Flores. Next in line will be SOHGOL (Ire)
(Singspiel [Ire]), Joseph Talamo, 109; SUDAN (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), Michael
Baze, 116; Obrigado, 115; Spring House; ADD HEAT (Unusual Heat), Tyler Baze,
112; ISIPINGO (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), Aaron Gryder, 115; Rocket Legs, Mike
Smith, 115; CHURCH SERVICE (Pulpit), Martin Garcia, 111; On the Acorn, 117; and
NIAGARA CAUSEWAY (Giant’s Causeway), Jon Court, 112.