Kentucky Derby (G1) winner GIACOMO (Holy Bull) will make his first start
since the Belmont S. (G1) as the highweight in Saturday’s $300,000 Strub S. (G2)
at Santa Anita, in which he will face 12 race-fit rivals in the 1 1/8-mile test.
Three others in the field are also veterans from last year’s Triple Crown wars — GREELEY’S
GALAXY (Mr. Greeley), WILKO (Awesome Again) and HIGH LIMIT (Maria’s Mon).
Sidelined by surgery after his seventh-place finish in the Belmont, Giacomo
has been working steadily for trainer John Shirreffs since the latter part of
November and most recently fired a seven-furlong bullet in 1:25 2/5 at Hollywood
Park. Assigned top weight of 123 pounds, he will spot from two to six
pounds to his foes. His loyal jockey Mike Smith, who has been aboard the steel
gray colt for each of his 10 lifetime starts, is traveling from Florida to ride.
Two key contenders are exiting the San Fernando Breeders’ Cup S. (G2). The
well-regarded CANTEEN (Fusaichi Pegasus) was a troubled second in that race,
blocked at a crucial stage in the stretch before rallying to fall three-quarters
of a length short. The Neil Drysdale pupil will be looking for a clean trip
under new rider Garret Gomez. Illinois Derby (G2) winner Greeley’s Galaxy looks
to be rounding into form with his recent third in the San Fernando, and the
talented chestnut has been working brilliantly with three bullet drills in a row
at Santa Anita.
The Bobby Frankel-trained High Limit scored a brave front-running victory
over older horses in the recent San Pasqual H. (G2), his comeback after a
four-month layoff, and will be reunited with jockey Pat Valenzuela. Grade 1
winner Wilko came out of his dull 11th in the Malibu S. (G1) with an illness and
will be hoping to return to his best in this two-turn affair.
In post position order, the complete field, with riders and weights, comprises Greeley’s Galaxy, Kent
Desormeaux, 119; TOP THIS AND THAT (Old Topper), Alex Solis, 117; ALEXANDERSRUN (Sweetsouthernsaint), Jon Court, 117; Giacomo; DIXIE MEISTER (Holzmeister),
David Flores, 119; HOCKEY THE GENERAL (General Meeting), Victor Espinoza, 117;
ULISTNINTOME (Wild Rush), Tyler Baze, 117; ICE COLE (Jules), Javier Santiago,
117; ACTXECUTIVE (Noactor), Aaron Gryder, 117; Canteen, 117; High Limit, 121;
Wilko, Corey Nakatani, 117; and DISTORTED (Distorted Humor), Jose Valdivia Jr.,
117.
Turning to the current crop of Triple Crown hopefuls, a field of six will
line up in the $100,000 Sham S. (G3), contested at 1 1/8 miles earlier on the
card. Hollywood Futurity (G1) third BOB AND JOHN (Seeking the Gold), last seen
scoring a smart allowance victory for Bob Baffert, will clash once again with
GENRE (GB) (Orpen), the horse that Bob and John had defeated convincingly in the
Real Quiet S. only to be controversially disqualified and placed third. The only
other colt with stakes experience is WOODY BE QUICK (Woodman), a distant fourth
in the San Rafael S. (G2).
Breaking from the rail is SKY DIVING (Aptitude), Flores, 118 pounds. Next, in
post position order, come Woody Be Quick, Juan Ochoa, 111; Genre, Martin Pedroza,
122; HAWKINSVILLE (Service Stripe), Solis, 118; SACRED LIGHT (Holy Bull), Gomez,
118; and Bob and John, Espinoza, 120.