United looks to turn the tables on Oscar Dominguez in San Marcos

Separated by a neck when last they met, top turf marathoners Oscar Dominguez and United head a field of seven older horses going a mile and one quarter on turf in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Claimed seven starts back for $40,000 on Feb. 7, 2019, the Richard Baltas-trained Oscar Dominguez appeared to run the best race of his career when he rallied from off the pace to outrun even-money favorite United in Del Mar’s Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) going 1 1/2 miles on Dec. 1. 

Although he lost quite a bit of ground turning for home, Richard Mandella-trained United appeared to have every chance to overhaul “Oscar” but came up a neck short in a thriller. 

Others who merit serious San Marcos consideration are trainer Phil D’Amato’s Cleopatra’s Strike, who comes off a narrow second-place finish at 1 1/8 miles on turf in the San Gabriel Stakes (G2) on Jan. 4 and Campaign, who has been idle since being eased as the 3-5 favorite in the same race.

OSCAR DOMINGUEZ

Owner: Nancy Messineo and Bruce Sands

Trainer: Richard Baltas

A 7-year-old Irish-bred gelding, he’s flourished in Baltas’ care, winning two out of his seven starts since claimed nearly a year ago, including his win at 11-1 in the Hollywood Turf Cup. He’s also managed a second place finish three starts back in the Del Mar Handicap (G2) and another second in the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3) four races back on June 23. Ridden by John Velazquez last month, he’ll get the services of Joel Rosario on Saturday. If he has the same kind of stretch kick at 1 1/4 miles as he had at 1 1/2, he should be tough to deny.

UNITED

Owner: LNJ Foxwoods

Trainer: Richard Mandella

A 5-year-old gelding by Giant’s Causeway, United’s biggest claim to fame thus far is running a huge second, beaten a head by eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at 1 1/2 miles two starts back on Nov. 2. Subsequently a fast finishing second, beaten a neck as the even-money favorite in the Hollywood Turf Cup at the same distance, United will again be handled by Flavien Prat as he tries to turn the tables on Oscar Dominguez.

Third, beaten 1 ¾ lengths three starts back in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 ¼ miles on Sept. 28, United was a close second in his only other try at that distance. Although he’d be best served by a fast early pace, United has the ability to sit close to the pace and should be able to adapt to any pace scenario.

CLEOPATRA’S STRIKE

Owner: Slam Dunk Racing and Michael Nentwig                                  Trainer: Philip D’Amato

A winner of the John Henry Turf Championship three starts back here on Sept. 28, this 7-year-old Smart Strike gelding has also been second three times in his last five starts with D’Amato, dating back to Jan. 5, 2019.  Second as the 6-5 San Gabriel Stakes favorite Jan. 4, Cleopatra’s Strike was surging at the end and could benefit from the extra furlong on Saturday when ridden back by Abel Cedillo.

CAMPAIGN

Owner: Woodford Racing, LLC

Trainer: John Sadler

A two-time graded stakes winner at marathon distances on dirt, this 5-year-old full horse by Curlin broke his maiden in his third career start going 1 1/2 miles on turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 1, 2018, and came back seven days later to win a 1 5/16-mile turf allowance there, with both wins coming from far off the early pace. With eight works to his credit since eased as the favorite in the Marathon Stakes on Nov. 1, Campaign’s connections are confident a return to turf will be to his liking on Saturday.

The field for the Grade 2 San Marcos with jockeys and weights:

1. Chosen Vessel—Drayden Van Dyke—120

6. Campaign—Rafael Bejarano—122

7. Oscar Dominguez—Joel Rosario--124