Grade 1 star TWIRLING CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), who will tote the top weight
of 122 pounds in Saturday’s Santa Anita H. (G1), tuned up by drilling seven
furlongs in 1:25 on Santa Anita’s fast main track on Sunday.
Regular rider Joel Rosario, who needs eight more stakes wins this meet to set
a Santa Anita record, was aboard for the move. Twirling Candy’s customary
workmate, Hammurabi (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), was caught going six furlongs in
1:13 2/5.
Trainer John Sadler, who has eight graded stakes wins this meet and is
cautiously confident he can win his first Big ‘Cap, was pleased with Twirling
Candy. The 54-year-old Long Beach, California, native finished fifth with his
only other starter, Zappa, in 2008.
“It was a very nice work,” Sadler said. “He’s ready to go.
“He’s a wonderful horse,” Sadler added of Twirling Candy, winner of six of
seven career starts including the Malibu S. (G1) in track-record time as well as
the Strub S. (G2) by 4 1/2 lengths last out. “You’ve always got to run the race,
but I wouldn’t trade horses with anybody else.”
Sadler’s other Big ‘Cap hopeful, San Antonio S. (G2) winner GLADDING (Sarava),
blitzed seven panels in 1:24 4/5 to post the fastest of three works at the
distance.
Grade 1-placed SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect) zipped seven furlongs in 1:25 3/5
under Victor Espinoza, who also has the Big ‘Cap mount.
“He worked great,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “He finished (a mile) in
(1):34 and change. He went off slow and finished strong. He’s looking as good as
he ever did.”
Seventh to Twirling Candy in his comeback in the seven-furlong Malibu,
Setsuko was most recently a close fourth in a 1 1/8-mile optional claimer.
At Hollywood Park, multiple Grade 2-placed SPURRIER (Dixieland Band) sizzled
six furlongs in a bullet 1:11 1/5, easily the best of seven trials at the trip
on the Cushion Track. The Bob Baffert charge is exiting a runner-up effort to
Gladding in the San Antonio, but is not yet confirmed for the Big ‘Cap. Baffert,
who has four horses nominated, said that he won’t make a decision on which to
run until Monday.
Potential field for the 74th Santa Anita H., with riders and weight
assignments: AGGIE ENGINEER (E Dubai), Joe Talamo, 118; FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got
Even), no rider, 116; GAME ON DUDE (Awesome Again), no rider, 115; Gladding, no
rider, 117; PODE IR (Brz) (Crimson Tide), David Flores, 112; QUINDICI MAN (Came
Home), no rider. 115; Setsuko, Victor Espinoza, 112; SOUL CANDY (Birdonthewire),
Garrett Gomez, 114; Spurrier, no rider, 115; TWEEBSTER (Tapit), no rider, 116;
and Twirling Candy, Joel Rosario, 122.