Shared Belief Ready to Run in Big 'Cap
Jerry Hollendorfer has Shared Belief ready to run. The post position, the weight, the intangibles are out of his control, not that he doesn’t give a whit about those things.
You don’t approach 7,000 career victories without sweating the small stuff.
Shared Belief is the 3-5 favorite on Jon White’s morning line for Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita Handicap presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino.
The gelded son of Candy Ride will carry his highest impost ever, 125 pounds, and break from the No. 5 post position in the 78th running of the Grade I race for 4-year-olds and up at a mile and a quarter, which is the 11th and final event on what promises to be a sun-kissed day with temperatures in the low 80s. First post time is 12 noon.
“Weight is always a big deal no matter what race you’re in,” Hollendorfer said as he put several of his charges through Thursday morning works at Santa Anita. “It’s a big deal in this race, too.
“He’s got to spot them some weight, but some of the riders won’t be able to make the weight that they’re assigned. For example, some guys are in with 114, but they can’t do 14.
“We’re walking over with no excuses. Our horse is doing great, he’s trained great. He has no excuses. We have to carry 125, that’s what our assignment is, and (the five) is a decent post; it’s not the best, but it’s a decent post.”
Asked if he was surprised 12 others entered the race that offers $600,000 to the winner, $200,000 to the runner-up and $100,000 to the third-place finisher, Hollendorfer said, “I guess everybody thinks they have a shot or they wouldn’t be going in.”
The Santa Anita Handicap: Cool Samurai, Aaron Gryder, 30-1; Diamond Bachelor, Martin Pedroza, 50-1; Sr. Quisqueyano, Joe Talamo, 10-1; Dynamic Sky, Corey Nakatani, 15-1; Shared Belief, Mike Smith, 3-5; Moreno, Santiago Gonzalez, 6-1; Patrioticandproud, Elvis Trujillo, 20-1; You Know I Know, Drayden Van Dyke, 30-1; Crimson Giant, Brandon Boulanger, 50-1; Imperative, Kent Desormeaux, 30-1; Bronzo, Tyler Baze, 10-1; Catch a Flight, Gary Stevens, 12-1; and Hard Aces, Victor Espinoza, 12-1.
In other Big ’Cap news:
Santa Anita offers two huge guaranteed pools on Big ’Cap Day, $1 million on the Late Pick 4 and $250,000 on the Pick 6. There will be a Beerfest and live music in the Infield.
Source: Santa Anita Park