Papa Turf Set for San Pedro
Papa Turf broke his maiden at Santa Anita last Sept. 28, winning by 1 ¼ lengths over Kristo, who would himself go on to an impressive maiden win before running second to Midnight Hawk in the Grade III Sham Stakes last Saturday.
Monday, when Santa Anita presents holiday racing on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Papa Turf tackles four foes in the $75,000 San Pedro Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.
The bay son of Yes It’s True was third in a Santa Anita allowance sprint on Dec. 27, after he was “squeezed at the start.”
“He was hit with a lot of dirt and I think he’ll benefit from that experience,” said trainer Jim Kasparoff, best known for conditioning stakes-winning sprinter Bob Black Jack, who carried his speed a mile and an eighth in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby in 2008 when he finished second to Colonel John, beaten only a half-length.
“We’re just looking for a little better trip and to try and get off the rail,” Kasparoff said. “The horse is doing very well and we’re looking forward to running on Monday.”
The field for the San Pedro, which goes as the second race: Rockin Home, Tyler Baze; Indianapolis, Martin Garcia; Papa Turf, Joe Talamo; Elmonte Cristo, Rafael Bejarano; and Beach Hut, Mike Smith.
Also on Monday, Santa Anita presents another of its popular Dollar Days. Beers, hot dogs and sodas will be just a buck.