Masochistic (Sought After) looks like the one to catch in Saturday’s $200,000
Kona Gold
(G2) at Santa Anita. A convincing 2 1/4-length scorer over
allowance/optional rivals in his February 28 seasonal debut, the five-year-old
gelding will make his first start for trainer Ron Ellis as he seeks his initial
stakes win.
Tyler Baze picks up the mount and Masochistic possesses the top last-race
BRIS Speed rating (100) among seven runners. The bay California-bred finished
second when making his only previous stakes attempt, the Los Alamitos Mile last
September.
Grade 1 winner Sahara Sky (Pleasant Tap) returns from a 287-day layoff in the
6 1/2-furlong Kona Gold, which was previously known as the Potrero Grande.
Trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, the seven-year-old Sahara Sky
possesses an excellent 9-5-2-0 record at Santa Anita, including three graded
stakes wins. Rafael Bejarano takes over piloting duties.
Spirit Rules (Tribal Rule) and San Onofre (Surf Cat), the one-two finishers
in the California Cup Sprint earlier this year, are both entered and stakes
victor Seeking the Sheriff (Officer) will make his second outing for trainer Gus
Headley following a runner-up in the off-the-turf Joe Hernandez on February 22.
Restricted stakes winner Ankeny Hill (Sharp Humor) rounds out the field.
A few races later on the program, distaffers will square off down the hill in
the $100,000
Las
Cienagas (G3). Go West Marie (Western Fame) will bring a three-race win
streak into the about 6 1/2-furlong turf dash and Heavens Stairway (Decarchy)
will be seeking her sixth victory in her eighth attempt over the course.
Living the Life (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand) and Salsita (Two Step Salsa) are
two other last-out winners in the eight-horse field.
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