Nownownow returns in San Pasqual

Nownownow returns to the site of his last win on Saturday (Benoit Photos)

Six rivals, including Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) hero FURTHEST LAND (Smart
Strike), await Grade 2 winner NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) as he makes his belated
return to racing in the $150,000
San
Pasqual H. (G2) at Santa Anita on Saturday.

The Patrick Biancone trainee captured the San Fernando S. (G2) going
Saturday’s 8 1/2-furlong distance in his 2009 bow, but only raced two more times
last season. Following a close seventh, beaten just 1 3/4 lengths, in the Strub
S. (G2), Nownownow barely missed by a head when third in the Mervin Muniz Jr.
Memorial H. (G2). He’ll get a weight break in his return, only having to tote
116 pounds, and will get Joe Talamo in the saddle.

Furthest Land was a surprise winner at 6-1 in the Kentucky Cup Classic (G1),
but that was nothing compared to his 21-1 score in the Dirt Mile on November 7.
Previously a turf runner, the Michael Maker charge has excelled since switching
to synthetic surfaces, racking up three wins from as many starts on all-weather
tracks. The dark bay five-year-old has been working well since his Breeders’
Cup glory, and Eclipse Award finalist jockey Garrett Gomez in the irons can only
help his chances.

Furthest Land will try to make it four-for-four on synthetics (Benoit Photos)

Others of note in the San Pasqual include BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle), who
enters this event riding a three-race win streak, and Presque Isle Mile S.
victor CHEROKEE ARTIST (Cherokee Run).

Two races earlier on Santa Anita’s card, nine distaffers will line up in the
$65,000
Paseana H. at 1 1/16 Pro-Ride miles. Grade 2 heroine BRIECAT (Adcat) is
seeking her first win since taking the September 7 Adoration S. at Del Mar, but
will have to hold off the late run of multiple Grade 1-placed SILVER SWALLOW
(Alphabet Soup). The pair met up in the Bayakoa H. (G2) on December 5, with
Silver Swallow rallying for second while Briecat faded to sixth after setting
the pace.