Gormley Will Point to San Felipe or Rebel for Next Start
Sham Stakes winner Gormley, one of the West’s leading Triple Crown contenders, worked four furlongs on Santa Anita’s “fast” main track Monday in 47.80 under regular rider and three-time Kentucky Derby winner Victor Espinoza.
Working in company with Shazara, who was clocked in 48.20, Gormley could make his next start here in the Grade II, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 11, or the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park March 18.
John Shirreffs, who trains Gormley and additional Triple Crown contender Robert B. Lewis Stakes winner Royal Mo for Jerry and Ann Moss, could run Gormley in the San Felipe and Royal Mo in the Rebel, or vice versa. He has not rendered an official decision.
“He went good,” Shirreffs said of Gormley. “I’m happy with both horses at this point.”
Added Espinoza, winner of the Kentucky Derby in 2002 (War Emblem), 2014 (California Chrome) and 2015 (with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah): “Gormley felt good. He galloped out nice.
“He does things so easy; you couldn’t ask for anything better.”
SANTA ANITA VS. HOLY ANGELS CHARITY GAME THURSDAY: The 50th annual Santa Anita Jockeys vs. Holy Angels Elementary School charity basketball game will be played this Thursday night at La Salle High School in Pasadena, with proceeds to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), Holy Angels athletic program and the Eye on Jacob Foundation.
Given the historic nature of the game, individual jockey sponsors, representing a wide array of racing industry stakeholders, will lend financial support to this worthy cause. Tip off is scheduled for 7:15 p.m., with admission doors opening at 6:15 p.m.
Hall of Fame jockeys Kent Desormeaux, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Mike Smith, Alex Solis and Gary Stevens will be available for an autograph session at 6:30 p.m.
TVG’s Kurt Hoover will be back for his 16th consecutive season as Jockeys’ Coach. Tickets are $5 per person, and for every two tickets purchased, individuals receive one free admission ticket to Santa Anita.
Following are Santa Anita jockeys scheduled to participate with their sponsors in parentheses: Norberto Arroyo, Jr. (Baltas Racing), Tyler Baze (Dennis O’Neill), Rafael Bejarano (Eclipse Racing), Brice Blanc (Ruis Racing), Chad Lindsay (Phil D’Amato), Austin Solis (Solis/Litt Bloodstock), Chantal Sutherland (Bonne Chance Farm), Corey Nakatani (M. Auerbach, LLC), Josh Desormeaux (Desormeaux Racing).
Also, Edwin Maldonado (Dollase Racing), Flavien Prat (LNJ Foxwoods), Jamie Theriot (ERJ Racing), Joe Talamo (KM Racing Enterprise, Inc.), Mario Gutierrez (Cash Call), Martin Garcia (Bayern), Stewart Elliott (Little Red Feather Racing), Tiago Pereira (PH LOBO & Friends), Victor Espinoza (West Point Thoroughbreds), and Hall of Fame Jockeys Laffit Pincay, Jr. (Stud RDI), Gary Stevens (Spendthrift Farm), Mike Smith (Arrogate) and Kent Desormeaux (Desormeaux Racing).
MARDI GRAS COMES TO SANTA ANITA SATURDAY: The bayou comes to Santa Anita Park this Saturday, Feb. 25, for the first-ever Mardi Gras Trackside celebration. Join in on the festivities a few days early and let the good times roll.
The all-inclusive $28 package includes authentic Cajun fare courtesy of “Ragin’ Cajun on Wheels” (your choice of ½ shrimp or ½ catfish Po’ Boy sandwich with choice of side, or a combo plate comprised of red beans and rice with smoked sausage and Gumbolaya, (a Ragin Cajun on Wheels specialty), live music, loads of Mardi Gras-inspired decorations, one 12 oz. craft beer, Club House admission, racing program, tip sheet and trackside seating.
For more info and to purchase your ticket, visit here.
Upcoming Trackside events at the Winter Meet: Feb. 25, Mardi Gras Celebration; March 18, Big ‘Cap Beer & Cider Festival; March 18, St. Patrick’s Day; April 8, Santa Anita Derby Day Extravaganza; May 6, Kentucky Derby Day Celebration; May 13, Tacos y Cervezas; May 20, Preakness Party; May 27, Gold Cup Beer & Sour Festival; and May 27, Belmont Day.
FINISH LINES: Illuminant, winner of the Grade I Gamely Stakes last May 30, worked five furlongs on Santa Anita’s “fast” main track Monday morning in 1:00.40, “I’m very pleased,” said trainer Michael McCarthy, who plans to run her in the $75,000 Wishing Well Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf at a date to be determined. Illuminant was scratched from the Buena Vista Stakes Saturday when the race was moved from turf to dirt to due inclement weather . . . There was a single winning Pick 6 Sunday that paid $128,792, purchased for $864 through a Northwest hub . . . Bettys Bambino, prepping for $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes on Saturday, worked four furlongs Monday for Peter Eurton in 49.20. Eurton also supervised a six furlong drill for Kobe’s Back, who was timed in 1:12.40 as he readies for the Grade I Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs March 11. With regular rider Gary Stevens not quite ready to resume riding after having his right hip replaced on Dec. 21, Eurton is in need of a rider and could seek the services of world class reinsman Javier Castellano . . . The top four trainers at Santa Anita this meet are separated by only four wins: Jerry Hollendorfer (17), Peter Miller (16), Richard Baltas (15) and Phil D’Amato (13) . . . With two wins Sunday, Flavien Prat opened a 37-29 lead over runner-up Tyler Baze among jockeys . . . Racing mourns the passing of 1999 Horse of the Year Charismatic, who died suddenly Sunday at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky. Owned by Robert B. Lewis and his wife, Beverly, bred in Kentucky by Parrish Hill Farm and William Farish, and trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Charismatic was 21. He won the 1999 Kentucky Derby under the late Chris Antley and was named that year’s Eclipse Award as champion three-year-old colt. He had five wins from 17 starts and earned $2,038,064 . . . Santa Anita will be dark for live racing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Live racing will resume Friday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. Admission gates open at 11 a.m. . . . All THOROUGHBREDS members at Santa Anita on Big ’Cap Day, March 11, will receive a free Santa Anita umbrella with paid admission while supplies last. There will be a $1 million guaranteed Late Pick 4 and a $100,000 guaranteed Pick 6. First post time will be 12 noon, with admission gates opening at 10 a.m
Source: Santa Anita Park