2/28/08
Last updated: 2/28/08 4:16 PM
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Tiago is seeking his first win of 2008
(Benoit Photo) |
Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1) drew a full field of 14, and the 1
1/4-mile event over Santa Anita’s Cushion Track appears very contentious.
Pacific Classic (G1) hero STUDENT COUNCIL (Kingmambo) and multiple Grade 1
winner TIAGO (Pleasant Tap) are among the top draws, but both runners will be
attempting to rebound from recent setbacks over the track.
Student Council recorded noteworthy victories in the Pacific Classic and
Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) last season, but skipped the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)
and headed to the Far East for the Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1) in late November. He
rallied into a menacing position before weakening to eighth that day, and the
six-year-old horse returned from a 2 1/2-month freshening to finish fifth in the
February 9 San Antonio H. (G2) last out. Trainer Vladimir Cerin will give
regular rider Richard Migliore a leg up, and Student Council will tote 117
pounds on Saturday.
Tiago captured the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and finished third in the Belmont
S. (G1) early in his three-year-old campaign last year, and the John Shirreffs
runner captured the Goodwood S. (G1) at Santa Anita in the fall. Fifth in the
Breeders’ Cup Classic, Tiago returned to action this year with a pair of stakes
placings, finishing third in the San Fernando S. (G2) and second in the Strub S.
(G2) most recently. Mike Smith will attempt to improve one spot on Saturday
aboard the 119-pound co-highweight.
Strub winner MONTEREY JAZZ (Thunderello) will also tote 119 pounds in the Big
‘Cap. The four-year-old colt will enter on a roll for Craig Dollase, impressively
winning a grassy allowance/optional claimer at Hollywood Park before capturing
the Sir Beaufort S. (G3) on the turf at Santa Anita in late December. Monterey
Jazz crushed his rivals on the front end in the Strub, opening a clear lead
early en route to a 4 1/2-length decision, and he’ll receive a rider switch in
the Big ‘Cap to Russell Baze, who guided him to a maiden special weight victory
eight starts back.
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CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) (Danehill) will make his synthetic track debut for Bobby
Frankel in the Big ‘Cap. A French Group 3 winner, the five-year-old horse
finished second when making his U.S. debut in the Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) two
starts back and rolled to a smart 1 1/4-length tally in the San Marcos S. (G2)
last out. New rider Ramon Dominguez will guide Champs Elysees.
Other contenders include GO BETWEEN (Point Given), who improved to
two-for-two on synthetic tracks when registering a two-length score in the
Sunshine Millions Classic, San Fernando winner AIR COMMANDER (Point Given), and
Breeders’ Cup Classic third-placer AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again), who ran his
streak of graded stakes placings to six with a third in the San Antonio.
Champs Elysees will lead the post parade under a 117-pound impost. Next comes
Tiago; BIG BOOSTER (Accelerator), Michael Baze, 115; MEDICI CODE (GB) (Medicean),
Martin Pedroza, 115; Awesome Gem, David Flores, 117; Monterey Jazz; ZAPPA
(Afternoon Deelites), Joel Rosario, 114; SEMINOLE NATIVE (Lil Tyler), Jose
Valdivia Jr., 113; CELTIC DREAMIN (Game Plan), Alex Solis, 115; HEATSEEKER (Ire)
(Giant’s Causeway), Rafael Bejarano, 116; Student Council; Go Between, Garrett
Gomez, 118; GREAT HUNTER (Aptitude), Victor Espinoza, 115; and Air Commander,
Aaron Gryder, 116.
