Santa Anita news: Shivermetimbers trying turf in in opening day stakes

Shivermetimbers, a consistent son of Shanghai Bobby, makes his turf debut in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds on opening day at Santa Anita Park. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer for Mark DeDomenico and West Point Thoroughbreds, Shivermetimbers will be joined in the race by stablemate Choo Choo.

Mike Smith rides Shivermetimbers, while Joel Rosario pilots Choo Choo, owned and bred by Calumet Farm.

”It’s the first race on grass for Shivermetimbers,” Hollendorfer said, “but he worked well over it at Del Mar (going five furlongs on a firm course Nov. 25 in a bullet 1:01.20).”

Choo Choo is a consistent son of English Channel who was a willing second in the Let It Ride at a mile on Del Mar’s turf course Nov. 10. 

KANTHAKA PERFECT SO FAR AT MALIBU DISTANCE  

Kanthaka is unbeaten in three races at seven furlongs, and Team Hollendorfer hopes the son of Jimmy Creed enhances that mark in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs on opening day.

The chestnut colt has not raced since last May 12, posing conditioning reservations.

“It looks like we’ll get lucky and get another work into him,” said Hollendorfer assistant Dan Ward.

“There’s always a question with the weather when you’re coming off a layoff and everything, but so far he’s been able to get his works in and I think he’ll be ready.”

Each of Kanthaka’s seven-furlong triumphs has come at Santa Anita, where he is unbeaten. He owns a maiden win, and victories in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes and the Grade 3 Laz Barrera Stakes.

SONNETEER RETURNS IN SAN ANTONIO STAKES  

After an extended absence of more than seven months, Sonneteer returns to action in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on opening day.

The 4-year-old Midnight Lute colt owned and bred by Calumet Farm, which led all breeders in North America this year with more than 300 victories, last raced May 5 at Churchill Downs, finishing second in an allowance race.

“He had a steady campaign from when he was a 2-year-old up until May of this year. He never had a break,” pointed out trainer Keith Desormeaux, who fancies buying horses on the cheap, then elevating them to the top of the heap.

“We gave Sonneteer a little break, freshened him, he came back nicely, and we’re looking forward to a big year.”

The homebred already has earned $480,416.

Asked if Hall of Fame great Kent Desormeaux would ride, older brother Keith said, “Yes, if he recovers from his holiday turkey. If not, I’ll ride him myself.”

Kent is approaching a career milestone of 6,000 North America victories, currently standing at 5,993.