Malibu S. (G1) hero ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.) is the top draw for Saturday’s
$300,000 Strub S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The 1 1/8-mile event wraps up the Strub
series for foals of 2001, which is also comprised of the Malibu and San Fernando
Breeders’ Cup (G2). Minister Eric (Old Trieste), winner of the San Fernando, has
bypassed the Strub.
Rock Hard Ten, who finished second in the Preakness S. (G1) and captured the
Swaps Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) last season, has compiled three of his four career
wins at Santa Anita. The Richard Mandella-trained dark bay will be ridden by
Gary Stevens, who was aboard for his half-length triumph in the seven-furlong
Malibu.
GOOD REWARD (Storm Cat), who comes off a half-length victory in the grassy
Hollywood Derby (G1), will return to the main track in the Strub for trainer
Shug McGaughey. The bay colt is the 123-pound co-highweight along with
Pennsylvania Derby (G2) winner LOVE OF MONEY (Not for Love), who will be making
his first start since an unplaced finish as the favorite in the Jockey Club Gold
Cup (G1).
Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner CASTLEDALE (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), multiple
Grade 2 victor IMPERIALISM (Langfuhr), and San Fernando third-place finisher SKIPASLEW (Skip Away) are also in the line-up.
The complete Strub field, from the rail with jockeys and weights, is HENDRIX
(Sultry Song), Pat Valenzuela, 117; Skipaslew, Kent Desormeaux, 117; Good
Reward, Corey Nakatani; Castledale, Jose Valdivia Jr., 119; Love of Money,
Victor Espinoza; MY CREED (Beau Genius), Tyler Baze, 117; Rock Hard Ten, 121;
Imperialism, Alex Solis, 119; DIAMOND FURY (Sea of Secrets), Casey Fusilier,
117; and WITH DISTINCTION (Storm Cat), Jon Court, 117.
The Sham S. features a group of 11 three-year-olds on the Strub undercard.
Undefeated UNCLE DENNY (In Excess [Ire]), who exits a score in the California
Breeders’ Champion S., is among the top contenders. The nine-furlong test also
features San Miguel S. winner GOING WILD (Golden Missile), Hollywood Futurity
(G1) runner-up GIACOMO (Holy Bull), and ICED OUT (Comic Strip), who comes off a
second-place finish in the San Rafael S. (G2).
PAPI CHULLO (Comeonmom) has the rail with Valenzuela. Next in the starting
gate comes SALTY HUMOR (Distorted Humor), Isaias Enriquez; Uncle Denny, Rene
Douglas; GENERAL JOHN B (Sweetsouthernsaint), Court; Iced Out, Martin Pedroza;
CADILLAC CRUISER (Touch Gold), Nakatani; CHEKHOV (Pulpit), Stevens; SOUTHERN
AFRICA (Cape Town), Baze; Going Wild, Espinoza; Giacomo, Mike Smith; and DEVIL’S
BAY (Devil His Due), Garrett Gomez.
All starters will carry 117 pounds.