Santa Anita: Katonah can enjoy class relief in Pincay Stakes

The first-ever Grade 2, $200,000 Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes on opening day at Santa Anita attracted a field of eight dirt runners led by tepid 3-1 morning-line favorite Katonah on opening day at Santa Anita Park next Thursday. The 1 1/16-mile race, formerly known as the San Antonio Stakes, was renamed in honor of the legendary jockey this year.

Trained by Doug O’Neill, Katonah exits a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 1. He gets a touch of class relief following three consecutive Grade 1 efforts.

Prior to the Breeders’ Cup, Katonah finished fourth in the California Crown (G1) Sept. 28 at Santa Anita and was off the board in the Pacific Classic (G1). The 5-year-old gelding by Klimt will be adding blinkers in the Pincay.

Katonah has a record of 15: 4-3-2 with $360,680 in earnings for owner R3 Racing. Jockey Antonio Fresu has the call.

Tarantino (7-2) is among Katonah’s chief rivals. The 6-year-old gelding by Pioneerof the Nile, claimed by trainer Peter Eurton this summer for $40,000 at Del Mar, has been in top form since being red-tagged. He returned to win a $40,000 claimer in his first start for his new connections in August at Del Mar, then cleared his second-level allowance condition when winning at Santa Anita Oct. 26. Most recently, Tarantino stepped up in the Native Diver (G3) at Del Mar and was a good second behind Skinner on Nov. 23.

Tarantino is owned by David A. Bernsen and Rockingham Ranch. He is 25: 4-6-4 with $311,670 in earnings. Edwin Maldonado, who was aboard for both his allowance win and the Native Diver, retains the mount.

Also looming is Express Train (4-1), winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) in 2022. Trained by John Shirreffs, Express Train has made two starts following a nearly 19-month layoff. The 7-year-old horse by Union Rags was third sprinting in the Kona Gold at Santa Anita in April, then came back to finish third again when stretched out around two turns in the San Diego Handicap (G2) in July at Del Mar.

Express Train has a record of 22: 7-5-5 with $1,491,800 in earnings for owner C R K Stable. He will be ridden by Hector Berrios for the first time.