Multiple stakes winner JET WEST (Western Fame) has been installed as the
117-pound highweight in Monday’s $100,000 El Conejo H. (G3) at Santa Anita,
which drew an overflow field of 13. Trained by Ted West, the newly turned
five-year-old brings a three-race win streak into the 5 1/2-furlong El Conejo,
including a nose victory in the Cal Cup Sprint H. last out. Kent Desormeaux will
be in the saddle.
Included in the field is Grade 2 winner FUSAICHI ROCK STAR (Wild Wonder), who
returns off a week break after running off the board in the Malibu S. (G1). The
Bob Baffert charge is the older full brother to Grade 1 princess and Breeders’
Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) runner-up Wild Fit, and came back off a four-month
vacation in the Malibu. Fusaichi Rock Star will have David Flores, who was
aboard for his San Vicente S. (G2) win earlier in the year, back in the irons
for Monday’s event.
Other contenders include San Simeon H. (G3) hero SHADOW OF ILLINOIS (Illinois
Storm) and Grade 3 winner MIGHTY BEAU (Rainbow Prospect), who ran just a length
back in fifth in the Morvich H. (G3) last out.
The complete field for the 5 1/2-furlong El Conejo, with riders and weights,
is RED WARRIOR (Benchmark), Agapito Delgadillo, 115; JUNGLE PRINCE (Sir Cat),
Garrett Gomez, 116; MOON MISSION (Apollo), Isaias Enriquez, 113; Shadow of
Illinois, Pat Valenzuela, 115; GRAY BLACK N WHITE (Quiet American), Jose
Valdivia Jr., 115; Fusaichi Rock Star, 114; STONE RAIN (Grindstone), Jon Court,
114; Mighty Beau, Alex Solis, 116; EXCESS SUMMER (In Excess [Ire]), Tyler Baze,
113; SLEW’S PRINCE (Slew’s Royalty), Corey Nakatani, 114; WITH DISTINCTION
(Storm Cat), Victor Espinoza, 116; and Jet West.
SCOTTY’S LADD (Red) is listed as also-eligible and will go under a
110-pound impost, including jockey Guillermo Gutierrez, if he draws in.