Santa Anita news: Coliseum 'needed the race' in Sham Stakes
Trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday that Coliseum, the beaten Sham Stakes (G3) favorite who never threatened after a less than alert start, "came out of the race really well."
The son of Tapit finished sixth, beaten 4 1/2 lengths by Gunmetal Gray in the 2019 Kentucky Derby prep race.
“He needed the race and he got behind after he didn’t break and I was afraid of that,” Bob Baffert said of the Godolphin homebred, a winner of his debut outing by nearly seven lengths.
Because more than half an inch of rain inundated the Arcadia area last night, there was no training on the main track at Santa Anita on an otherwise invigorating Sunday morning, sunshine breaking through stretches of low-hanging white clouds and snow nestled sparsely atop the San Gabriel Mountains and familiar old Mt. Baldy.
That didn’t deter Jerry Hollendorfer from taking a rare and brief moment to smell the roses at Clockers’ Corner, less than 24 hours after saddling Gunmetal Gray for a spectacular victory in the Sham, worth 10 Derby qualifying points.
“We did very well,” said the Hall of Fame trainer, third all-time in career victories with 7,559, behind only Steve Asmussen (8,281) and Dale Baird (9,445), “but we don’t know yet” what’s next.
The gray son of Exchange Rate stormed from last in a field of seven at the three-quarter mark to win the one-mile Sham by a length under Mike Smith.
“They weren’t coming from that far back yesterday in any of the races,” Hollendorfer said, “so it was nice to see, but he had a good pace to run at.”
Meanwhile, another of Hollendorfer’s Triple Crown contenders, Instagrand, winner of his two starts by a combined margin of more than 20 lengths, is scheduled to have his first four furlong workout at Santa Anita this Saturday after two three-furlong moves over the track since his 10 ¼-length romp in the Grade 2 Best Pal at Del Mar Aug. 11.
Hollendorfer said he had no race in mind yet for the Into Mischief colt.
SANTA ANITA SINGLE TICKET PICK SIX JACKPOT AT $532,695
Santa Anita’s popular 20 cent Single Ticket Pick Six Jackpot continues to grow, as there is a Jackpot carryover of $532,695 into Sunday’s nine-race program.
Due to the forecast of rain which eventually proved true, all nine races for Sunday were carded for the main track, including the Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, scheduled as the eighth race at seven furlongs.
With $371,942 in “new” money wagered, combined with a carryover from Friday of $447,555, there was a total Rainbow Six pool of $819,497 on Saturday, which fueled a payoff of $9,459 on 21 tickets with all six winners.
Approximate post time for Sunday’s fourth race, leg one in the Rainbow Six, is 2:04 p.m. PT.
FINISH LINES: Still under the weather, Joel Rosario took off his mounts for the second straight day Sunday. The 33-year-old native of the Dominican Republic was named on five horses. “He’s got the flu,” said his agent, Ron Anderson, “but he’s expected to resume riding on Thursday.”
In what he acknowledged was his “biggest pickup mount ever,” Geovanni Franco guided Next Shares to a thrilling nose victory in yesterday’s Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes for trainer Richard Baltas. Immediately following the San Gabriel, part owner Michael Iavarone declared that Next Shares is headed to the inaugural $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 26.
With a text book ride for his brother, Keith, on Falcone in Saturday’s third race, Kent Desormeaux moved to within five of 6,000 career victories in North America.
Flavien Prat, leading all riders through eight racing days with 10 wins, has been named to ride multiple stakes winner Belvoir Bay for Peter Miller in Saturday’s Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes for older fillies and mares at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf.
Franco will ride Lake Time for Eric Kruljac in next Sunday’s $75,000 Kalookan Queen Stakes for older fillies and mares at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.
Condolences to the family of trainer Gary Stute on the passing of Trudy Stute, wife of his uncle, the late trainer Warren Stute. Trudy died Jan. 1 at the age of 91. Funeral services were Sunday.
The very popular Burgers & Brewfest trackside event is set for this Saturday at The Great Race Place. Online packages available as are walk-ups, while supplies last.
The Bulldog Derby will hold its inaugural running Saturday, Jan. 19 in the Infield. Both French and English-breds will face off in a friendly competition throughout the day over the grass with two dirt finals set for the main track later in the day. All proceeds benefit the Southern California Bulldog Rescue.
Santa Anita will be dark for live racing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Live racing resumes Thursday, Jan. 10 at 12:30 p.m. There will be simulcast racing Wednesday with free general admission and parking. Admission gates open at 10 a.m.