Santa Anita: O'Neill sends 2 in San Vicente Stakes

In Saturday’s Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs at Santa Anita, trainer Doug O’Neill will send out the pair of Acknowledgemeplz and Thirsty Rebel.

Acknowledgemeplz, a Florida-bred colt by Bucchero, is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line behind program favorite Buetane (6-5). Thirsty Rebel, a California-bred colt by Stay Thirsty, is installed at 8-1.

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Acknowledgemeplz will cut back in distance and add blinkers after a fourth-place finish in the 1 1/16-mile Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on Dec. 13. Previously, Acknowledgemeplz uncorked a field-high 93 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form when graduating going 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita.

“That’s what we’re thinking, getting back to one turn,” O’Neill said. “Not that he can’t be effective around two turns down the line. But the blinkers and cutback in distance have us expecting a good effort.”

Acknowledgemeplz is owned by Purple Rein Racing and Mark D. Davis. He’ll be ridden by Kazushi Kimura for the first time in the San Vicente.

Thirsty Rebel exits a dominant six-length allowance win against statebreds on Dec. 12 at Los Alamitos. This will be his first time facing open company on dirt.

“He’s been a pretty honest dirt sprinter, and I thought he deserved this chance,” O’Neill said. “He has the ability to try open company, and we have a good post.”

Thirsty Rebel drew the far outside and will have regular rider Abel Lezcano aboard.

The San Vicente is part of a 10-race program Saturday that also includes the rescheduled Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. First post is 3 p.m. EST.