Big ‘Cap features deep field of 14

Einstein will shoulder the top weight in his synthetic debut (Eleanor Gustafson/Horsephotos.com) Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1) shapes up to be a terrific race. The centerpiece event of the Santa Anita winter/spring meet has attracted a well-matched, full field of 14 for 1 1/4 miles on the Pro-Ride, and oddsmaker Jeff Turfs had a difficult job deciding on a morning-line favorite. He settled on multiple Grade 1 winner COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow), installing the four-year-old colt as the 9-2 choice. Strub S. (G2) hero COWBOY CAL (Giant’s Causeway) comes next at 5-1, and a trio of runners are listed at 6-1. Three-time Grade 1 winner EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck), an earner of more than $1.6 million, is the 121-pound highweight for his synthetic track debut. Trained by Helen Pitts-Blasi, the seven-year-old horse exits a fast-finishing third in the Donn H. (G1) in which he was compromised by an outside post. Einstein, who has been installed at 6-1 on the morning line, drew post 8 on Saturday, and Julien Leparoux will retain the mount.

Cowboy Cal will enter the Big ‘Cap on a roll for Todd Pletcher, notching
victories over the Pro-Ride in the Strub and San Pasqual H. (G2) in his last two
outings, and John Velazquez will stick with the classy colt. With the exception
of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on dirt, Cowboy Cal has finished either first or
second in his last 10 starts. He merits serious respect from post 2. MATTO MONDO
(Chi) (Sir Cat) will enter in good form for Richard Mandella, impressively
garnering the off-the-turf Thunder Road H. (G3) in his last outing, and the
multiple Chilean Group 1 winner will pick up the services of Rafael Bejarano. Listed at 6-1, the five-year-old horse could show speed from his rail
post.

Colonel John annexed the 2008 Santa Anita Derby (G1) over Cushion Track and
triumphed in the Travers S. (G1) on dirt. The WinStar Farm homebred recorded a
respectable sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and just missed third when
claiming fourth-place honors in the seven-furlong Malibu S. (G1) last time out.
The added ground figures to benefit the Eoin Harty-trained colt, who appears to
be training forwardly for this engagement. COURT VISION (Gulch) exits a close
third in the Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1), finishing three parts of a length
behind the winning Kip Deville (Kipling), and the Bill Mott-trained colt owns
plenty of back class, winning both the Hollywood Derby (G1) and Jamaica H. (G2)
last season. He hasn’t been seen on a synthetic surface in a while, but Court
Vision opened his racing career over all-weather tracks in Kentucky, recording a
win and a second from two appearances. Ramon Dominguez will retain the mount, and
Court Vision is 6-1 on the morning line.

Bobby Frankel will send out a pair of Group/Grade 1 turf winners in ZAMBEZI
SUN (GB) (Dansili [GB]) and CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) (Danehill). The former made his
U.S. debut 13 days ago, recording a sixth in the grassy San Luis Obispo H. (G2),
and is eligible to improve off the tightener. Champs Elysees closed a lot of
ground to finish third in last year’s Big ‘Cap, and the six-year-old captured
the Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) two starts back.