Grade 1 hero GEORGIE BOY (Tribal Rule), an authoritative 2 1/4-length winner
of the Sunshine Millions Sprint in his last outing, will be the one to beat in
Saturday’s $150,000
San
Carlos H. (G2) at Santa Anita. The George Schwary homebred will face only
five rivals in the seven-furlong sprint over Pro-Ride.
Trained by Kathy Walsh, Georgie Boy reeled off three consecutive graded
stakes victories before being sidelined last spring. The four-year-old gelding
returned to the races in late October, recording a respectable fourth off the
lengthy layoff in the Damascus S. on the Breeders’ Cup Saturday undercard, and
concluded his sophomore season with a third in the Malibu S. (G1). Georgie Boy
returned to form in the Sunshine Millions Sprint, notching a 102 BRIS Speed
rating for his strong effort, and he owns a decided class edge over his San
Carlos opponents.
Woodward S. (G1) runner-up PAST THE POINT (Indian Charlie) will cut back in
distance off an unplaced finish in the San Pasqual H. (G2). The Eoin Harty
trainee finished third in the Native Diver H. (G3) two starts back and has won
over an all-weather surface before. Stakes victor HALO NAJIB (Halo’s Image), a
fast-finishing third when making his California debut in the Palos Verdes H.
(G2) last out, will make his second start for Mike Mitchell, and multiple stakes
winner YANKEE BRAVO (Yankee Gentleman) will make his first appearance since an
unplaced effort in last year’s Preakness S. (G1).
STAR NICHOLAS (Poteen), winner of the restricted On the Trust H. two starts
back, and Fair Grounds shipper MUTADDA (Mutakddim) round out the field.
The $100,000
Valentine Dancer H. will also be offered on Saturday’s program. Fourteen
California-bred distaffers, including two also-eligibles, are entered for the
one-mile turf test, including 2008 heroine TIZ A BLEND (Cee’s Tizzy). Other
contenders include CHRISTIANA’S HEAT (Unusual Heat), BEL AIR SIZZLE (Unusual
Heat) and KALOOKAN DANCEER (Olympio).