'Majestic' Rematch Set for Californian
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Benoit Photo
Ron Ellis and Sean McCarthy aren’t trying to make life difficult for Trevor Denman when they run Majestic City and Majestic Harbor in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Californian Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at a mile and an eighth.
It’s sheer coincidence that the two trainers have both horses in the race, and, Ellis points out, the two horses have run against each before, Majestic Harbor finishing second in the Grade II San Pasqual Stakes in which Majestic City was fourth. Aside from “Majestic,” similarities wane.
“Majestic City is consistent; it’s just hard for him to beat (Californian favorite) Fury Kapcori,” Ellis said. “He’s a tough horse. We considered running up north, but we could have faced Summer Hit who runs really good on the Tapeta, so we decided to try it here.”
Summer Hit won the All American at Golden Gate on Monday.
“Hopefully, my horse can break through in this race,’ Ellis said. “He hasn’t gotten perfect trips lately so we’re looking for better luck Saturday.”
Trainer Craig Lewis on Clubhouse Ride, who won The Californian last year on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track: “He handles all surfaces well. He worked well the other day (six furlongs Friday in a bullet 1:13.40); everything’s good.”
Lewis also won The Californian with Cutlass Reality in 1988. Clubhouse ride drew the rail for Saturday’s race. “It’s not my favorite spot,” Lewis said, “but it doesn’t do any good to complain about it, ‘cause that’s where he is.”
The field for the Californian: Clubhouse Ride, Joe Talamo, 9-2; Fury Kapcori, Corey Nakatani, 4-5; Sky Kingdom, Martin Garcia, 6-1; Majestic City, Mike Smith, 12-1; Handsome Mike, Mario Gutierrez, 12-1; Storm Fighter, Edwin Maldonado, 4-1; Majestic Harbor, Tyler Baze, 10-1; and Fly Lexis Fly, Tiago Pereira, 20-1.
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