Gift Box chases Santa Anita Handicap history with seven rivals

One of eight trainers dating back to 1940 to have saddled consecutive winners of the storied Santa Anita Handicap, John Sadler will seek an unprecedented three-peat this Saturday at The Great Race Place as his high weighted Gift Box defends his title in the 83rd running of the Grade 1, $600,000 classic for older horses at a mile and one quarter.

First run in 1935, the Big ’Cap, America’s longest continually run “hundred grander,” has attracted an outstanding field of eight, including C R K Stable’s talented Midcourt, who has been assigned 123 pounds, three less than Gift Box.

Kiaran McLaughlin’s up-and-coming Endorsed, Sadler’s Combatant, Bill Mott’s Florida-based Hofburg, the Richard Baltas-trained Two Thirty Five and others make this year’s Big ’Cap a compelling affair.

In addition to Sadler, those trainers that have won two consecutive Big ’Caps are as follows: “Silent” Tom Smith (Kayak II, 1939 and Seabicuit, 1940); Ron McAnally (John Henry, 1981 and 82); Charlie Whittingham (Lord At War, 1985 and Greinton, 1986); Richard Mandella (Siphon, 1996 and Malek, 1997); Bobby Frankel (Milwaukee Brew, 2002 and 03); Doug O’Neill (Lava Man, 2006 & 07) and Bob Baffert (Game On Dude, 2013 and 14).

Meet 2020's main contenders...

GIFT BOX 

Originally trained by Chad Brown and purchased privately prior to winning the San Antonio Stakes (G2) in December of 2018 in his first start for Sadler, this 7-year-old colt by Twirling Candy out-dueled Bob Baffert’s McKinzie to take last year’s Big ’Cap by a nose under regular rider Joel Rosario. Idle since running fourth as the 2-1 favorite in the Stephen Foster (G2) at Churchill Downs last June 15, Gift Box unleashed a monstrous effort in winning the San Antonio for a second time on Dec. 28, winning by 3 3/4 lengths while earning a Big ’Cap-best last out Beyer Speed figure of 107. A winner of three out of his five starts for Sadler, Gift Box, who took the San Antonio in gate-to-wire fashion, will attempt to become the fifth two-time winner of this race.

MIDCOURT 

A true training challenge by any accounting, Midcourt’s fortunes began a steep ascent following a near 16-month freshening, which spanned from Oct. 28, 2017, until Feb. 24, 2019 -- an interlude which included the momentous decision to geld the now 5-year-old son of Midnight Lute. A handful both in the mornings and afternoons, Midcourt, who had been beaten a combined 27 1/2 lengths in his first two starts, comes off the best race of his career, a front-running 3 1/2-length score in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) on Feb. 1, which brought his record since the ultimate equipment change to five wins from seven starts. Although well fancied at 2-1 versus Gift Box in the Dec. 28 San Antonio at 1 1/8 miles, Midcourt broke slowly and never threatened. With a 102 Beyer in hand following his last triumph, he’ll need to break running under regular rider Victor Espinoza if he’s to turn the tables on Gift Box in his first try at a mile and one quarter Saturday.  

ENDORSED 

Lightly raced, this 4-year-old homebred colt by Medaglia d’Oro would appear to have tremendous upside as he comes off an impressive two-length allowance score going a mile and one sixteenth at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 11 in his first start since running a creditable fourth in the Travers (G1) at Saratoga last August. A first-out maiden winner going six furlongs on an off track at Saratoga Aug. 18, Endorsed, who won his most recent race in stylish off the pace fashion, has three wins from six starts and would appear to rate a huge chance on Saturday.

HOFBURG 

Favored in two out of his last three starts, this Florida-based homebred 5-year-old horse by Tapit appeared to have a rough trip when seventh at 7-2 in his most recent race, the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at Fairgrounds in New Orleans. Seventh, beaten 8 3/4 lengths by eventual Triple Crown winner Justify in his only try at a mile and one quarter, the 2018 Kentucky Derby, Hofburg skipped the Preakness and was third, beaten 3 ½ lengths in the Belmont, which would suggest distance shouldn’t be a problem on Saturday. A winner of three out of his 10 starts, Hofburg, who calls Payson Park home, will be seeking his first graded stakes win in the Big ’Cap going second off the layoff. 

TWO THIRTY FIVE 

Owner: Richard Baltas, Tom Mansor, Tammi Nielson & Kim Rasmussen  Trainer: Richard Baltas

On the improve for Baltas at age 6, this gelding by Stay Thirsty has been competitive facing Midcourt in his last three starts, most recently finishing second, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Midcourt in the San Pasqual at odds of 22-1. Third, beaten seven lengths two starts back in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver Stakes (G3) at Del Mar  onNov. 23, he was second, beaten a neck by Midcourt three races back in the one-mile Comma to the Top here on Oct. 27.  Well beaten in his lone try at a mile and quarter, Two Thirty Five, who is 21: 5-4-5 and a reformed claimer, is in with a puncher’s chance from a hot barn.

THE SANTA ANITA HANDICAP WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS  

Race 10 of 12; approximate post time 4 p.m. PT   

1. Multiplier—Tyler Gaffalione—113

2. Two Thirty Five—Ruben Fuentes—118

3. Brown Storm—Hector Berrios—114

4. Gift Box—Joel Rosario—126

5. Midcourt—Victor Espinoza—123

6. Combatant—Umberto Rispoli—116

7. Hofburg—Flavien Prat—115

8. Endorsed—Drayden Van Dyke—115