Masochistic, Tough Sunday head California Cup Sprint

Bob Baffert’s comebacking Masochistic and Steve Miyadi’s late blooming Tough Sunday head Saturday’s $150,000 Donald Valpredo Californina Cup Sprint at six furlongs.  Restricted to older horses bred or sired in California, the Cal Cup Sprint has attracted a field of six.

Second and subsequently disqualified from purse money in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Sprint three starts back on Nov. 5, 2016, this 8-year-old star crossed gelding by Sought After has been idle since well beaten as the 2-1 favorite on Kentucky Derby Day, May 6, 2017, in the Grade II, seven furlong Churchill Downs Stakes.  A winner of four of eight Santa Anita starts, he’s trained in sensational fashion for his return to action in what will be his first start for Baffert.  With an overall mark of 16-8-3-0, Masochistic has earnings of $857,550 and will be ridden for the first time by Drayden Van Dyke.

An incredible story, this 6-year-old full horse by Grazen was orphaned at birth and was initially deaf and blind.  Nurtured to good health by owner/breeder Alexander and his farm team, Tough Sunday has never been better, evidenced by his career-best 97 Beyer Speed figure when second, beaten a neck, in the Grade III Midnight Lute Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs here on Dec. 30.  With an 8-2-1-3 mark at Santa Anita, Tough Sunday, who is out of Alexander’s General Meeting mare, Sunday Dress, is 16-4-5-4 overall, with earnings of $255,838.

THE $150,000 CALIFORNIA CUP SPRINT WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

1. Edwards Going Left—Tyler Baze—122

2. B Squared—Mario Gutierrez—122

3. Masochistic—Drayden Van Dyke—120

4. Solid Wager—Victor Espinoza—120

5. Tough Sunday—Joe Talamo—120

6. Country Road—Kyle Frey—120

 

Special early first post time for a 10-race card on Saturday is at 11:45 a.m.