Kanthaka takes to the turf for Santa Anita's Daytona Stakes

In what appears to be a wide-open affair, Jerry Hollendorfer’s classy Kanthaka, Mark Glatt’s hard-knocking Eddie Haskell and John Sadler’s comebacking Horse Greedy all appear to have big chances in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Daytona Stakes, which has attracted seven 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs over the Santa Anita turf.  

A winner of the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes (G2) in his third career start on Feb. 10, 2018, Kanthaka will be trying turf for the first time and could well go favored in the Daytona with Flavien Prat up.   

One of two California-breds in the lineup, 6-year-old Eddie Haskell is in top form and is by far the most accomplished runner in the field at five furlongs on turf, having won six of his nine starts, including a tough classified allowance here two starts back on Feb. 22.  

Idle since fifth in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) on Oct. 6, Horse Greedy, a 6-year-old gelding by Horse Greeley, was a close second in his only five-furlong turf try 12 starts back at Del Mar in November of 2016. Claimed for $40,000 four starts back on May 19, 2018, he’ll be making his fifth start for Sadler on Saturday.  

Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds                                

Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer  

A well-beaten fourth by front-running Cistron going 6 ½ furlongs in the Kona Gold Stakes (G2) on April 20, this 4-year-old colt by Jimmy Creed, who may be the class of the field, will be trying turf for the first time in his 11th career start. A two-time graded stakes winner on dirt, he’ll hope to improve upon a career resume of 10: 3-1-2 and earnings of $340,008.  

Owner: Philip Wood & Jim Hailey                                       

Trainer: Mark Glatt  

Claimed nine starts back on April 26, 2018, this 6-year-old California-bred gelding by Square Eddie has won four out of his eight starts for his current connections, including a head victory over two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Stormy Liberal two starts back on Feb. 22. Most recently second, beaten 1 ¼ lengths by fellow state-bred Pee Wee Reese going 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in the Sensational Star Stakes on March 31, “Eddie” should be tough to beat with Kent Desormeaux riding back. Bred in California by Reddam Racing, LLC, this 6-year-old gelding out of the Boston Harbor mare Teresa Ann is 19: 7-2-5 overall with earnings of $393,107.  

Owner: Hronis Racing, LLC                                    

Trainer: John Sadler  

Hailing from a barn that has proven effective of late with comebackers, a check of the tote board would be in order as Horse Greedy makes his first start since Oct. 6. With Espinoza at the wheel, a fresh Horse Greedy could be in close attendance heading into the far turn as he tries five furlongs on turf for the second time in his 18-race career.