Imponente Purse Fresh for San Gabriel

Imponente Purse, a consistent Brazilian-bred gelding trained by A.C. Avila, takes on favored Jeranimo in Monday’s holiday feature, the Grade II, $150,000 San Gabriel Stakes for older horses at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“We freshened him after the Clement Hirsch (on Oct. 2),” Avila said. “He had a long campaign, so we freshened him up and we’re starting again. He might want a longer distance than a mile and an eighth, but he’s capable at shorter distances, especially if he has a fast pace to run at.”

Jim Cassidy was still undecided on entering The Usual Q.T. in the San Gabriel. “As of today, yes,” the trainer said Thursday morning. “Tomorrow, who knows?”

The Usual Q.T., a two-time Grade I stakes winner, has not raced since last May 28 when he finished third in the Grade II American Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Rowdy Gal, daylight winner of her only two starts, tries stakes company for the first time in Sunday’s Grade II Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 6 ½ furlongs.

“She looks like a nice filly, won both her races,” trainer John Sadler said of the Kentucky-bred daughter of Pure Prize. “She’s training well so it’s time to step up into a better race.”

The field for the Santa Ynez: Made to Love Her, Rafael Bejarano; Reneesgotzip, Corey Nakatani; Rowdy Gal, Joel Rosario; Painted Woman, Mike Smith; Lady Hokulea, Joe Talamo; and Candrea, Martin Garcia.