12/30/08
Last updated: 12/30/08 6:55 PM
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Black Seventeen defeated Fabulous Strike in the Vosburgh on
September 27
(Melissa Wirth/Horsephotos.com) |
Thursday’s $100,000
El Conejo
H. (G3) at Santa Anita has the honor of being the first graded contest of
the New Year. Although only five horses have been entered, the 5 1/2-furlong
dash may be interpreted as an auspicious beginning to 2009, for it features a
tantalizing clash of Grade 1 heroes IN SUMMATION (Put It Back), BLACK SEVENTEEN
(Is It True) and JOHNNY EVES (Skimming).
In Summation is the defending El Conejo champion. Exactly one year ago, the
Christophe Clement charge set a new track record of 1:01 1/5 while rallying to a
one-length decision on the old Cushion Track surface In Summation has not
won since then, but he has continued to perform creditably. Runner-up when
mounting a title defense in the Bing Crosby H. (G1), In Summation has finished
fourth in the Pat O’Brien H. (G2), third in the Ancient Title S. (G1) and fourth
in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) last time out on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride. The
six-year-old will add first-time blinkers on Thursday, and that could help him
to improve on his recent efforts. Rafael Bejarano, who last teamed up with him
in the 2008 El Conejo, will reunite with the dark bay here. The late-running In
Summation is tactically drawn on the outside in post 5.
Just to his inside will be Black Seventeen, who exits a retreating seventh in
the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Two starts back, the Brian Koriner-trained chestnut
wore down Fabulous Strike (Smart Strike) by a head in the Vosburgh S. (G1) at
Belmont Park. Regular rider Clinton Potts will be back aboard the 121-pound
highweight, who figures to be sitting close early.
Johnny Eves first made a splash when upsetting last year’s Malibu S. (G1) at
11-1. After just failing on the stretch-out to two turns in the San Fernando S.
(G2), the California-bred gelding took some time to recover his form for Jay
Robbins. Johnny Eves showed that he was turning the proverbial corner with a
runner-up effort in the Cal Cup Sprint H., and he duly broke through last time
out with a smooth score in the Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3). Garrett Gomez
figures to carve out a stalking trip from post 3.
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Rounding out the field are the speedy pair of MACHISMO (Trippi) and ITS IN
GOD’S HANDS (In Excess [Ire]), both owned by Barber and Barber. Twice
stakes-placed at Calder, Machismo comes off a commanding allowance/optional
claiming victory at the Miami track. While he takes a big step up in class, it’s
notable that the gelding will be making his first start since being purchased
and turned over to the ever-dangerous John Sadler. Machismo promises to flash
speed from the rail with Mike Smith. Likely to engage him early is Its in God’s
Hands, who has yet to race outside of maiden claiming or starter allowance
company.
Later on the New Year’s Day card, multiple Grade 2 heroine FOXYSOX (GB)
(Foxhound) will return to action in a turf allowance carded as the
9TH race.
The Carla Gaines mare has not raced since her fourth-place performance in the
August 3 John C. Mabee H. (G1).
“She’s training fabulous,” said Gaines, who opted for this spot in lieu of
Friday’s Paseana H. or Sunday’s San Gorgonio H. (G2). “We wanted to start her
back in this race and then jump into something bigger down the road, hopefully.”
Foxysox will meet nine rivals in the one-mile affair, including Brazilian
Group 1 victress EISSOAI (Brz) (Roi Normand), who will look to rebound after a
poor effort in the It’s in the Air S.; Canadian Grade 3 queen SPRUNG (Grand
Slam); and multiple stakes winner BAHAMA MAMA (Ire) (Invincible Spirit).
Santa Maria H. (G1) winner DOUBLE TROUBLE (Brz) (Wild Event), who forms a
coupled entry with Eissoai, is cross-entered to the Paseana.
