Big ‘Cap day boasts big stakes
Any race program featuring three Grade I stakes is worthy of attention. On Saturday at Santa Anita Park, the Santa Anita Oaks, Kilroe Mile and Santa Anita Handicap will make for an outstanding day of horse racing.
The Oaks has only five starters, but all have a chance at winning. I think Turbulent Descent can turn the tables on Zazu after losing to her in the Las Virgenes. Be wary of trainer Bob Baffert, who has an uncoupled entry in May Day Rose and A Z Warrior.
The Kilroe favorite will be Caracortado, a Cal-bred who has moved up on grass. Yet I consider his edge a small one in an evenly matched field. My choice is Jeranimo, who ran fourth behind Caracortado in the Sunshine Millions Turf.
Two others to consider in the Kilroe are Fluke, who just won the Thunder Road, and Sebastian Flyte, who was third to top turf runners Bourbon Bay and Champ Pegasus in the San Marcos.
The Santa Anita Handicap is called the Big ‘Cap for good reason. It has a rich history of producing champions and for being among the best handicap races offered for older horses.
The strong favorite will be Twirling Candy, who in his first two dirt starts won the Malibu and Strub, both at Santa Anita. Twirling Candy has been so impressive for trainer John Sadler that many are calling this colt the best handicap horse in training.
Ten others will try Twirling Candy, including a foursome from Baffert of Spurrier, First Dude, Tweebster and Game On Dude. I’m not sure they can beat the chalk unless one of them jumps into the race fresh at the quarter pole, which, of course, is not allowed.
Sadler might run second in the Big ‘Cap, too, with Gladding. Gladding beat many of these horses last out in the San Antonio. I suspect that after the Big ‘Cap, Sadler will try to keep Twirling Candy and Gladding separated in future stakes.
Big ‘Cap day has a post time of noon.
■ MCQUIGGAN MOVES TO SOUTH POINT — Patrick L. McQuiggan has been hired to be the new in-house handicapper at the South Point race book. His duties will begin Saturday. McQuiggan and Gordon Jones formerly held that position at Sam’s Town.
McQuiggan will post selections for the Southern California tracks, plus organize and manage group tickets for the Pick 4 and Pick 6 pools.
McQuiggan and John Kelly can be heard on “Track Talk” on KLAV-AM (1230) at 7:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.