Sacred Rider returns to turf in Snow Chief Stakes
Steve Specht has moseyed down from his Northern California base to saddle Sacred Rider in a salty version of Saturday’s $100,000 Snow Chief Stakes for three-year-old California-breds at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
The gelded son of Lucky Pulpit owned and bred by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams showed an affinity for Santa Anita, having finished second by a neck at 36-1 under Abel Cedillo in the California Cup Derby on Jan. 20, although that race was on the main track.
“He’s got a versatile style and can do whatever the rider needs to do,” Specht said. “He’s got speed enough to be in the mix, and if they go too fast, he can back off; I think he runs better on grass than anything else.”
Sacred Rider has 13 career starts, four on turf, where he posted his only two victories. “He’ll be tough,” Specht said. “He’s training pretty good. He worked well Sunday (five furlongs at Golden Gate in 1:00.20), got in early Thursday, jogged today and he’s ready to run.”