Sat; Big Cap
Mar 1, 2015 23:26:56 GMT -5
Post by Jon on Mar 1, 2015 23:26:56 GMT -5
Anyone think he can be beat?
Shared Belief assigned 125 pounds in Big 'Cap
Brisnet
Shared Belief (Candy Ride), "the best horse in the country," will carry his greatest impost ever, top weight of 125 pounds, in Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1).
"I don't think Jerry had any complaints," said Jerry Hollendorfer assistant Dan Ward of the 125 assigned to Shared Belief, the once-beaten male two-year-old champion of 2013 who defeated 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) in the San Antonio Invitational (G2) on February 7.
"The racing secretary (Rick Hammerle) told us Shared Belief is the best horse in the country," Ward said, adding that the disparity in weights from high to low is more significant than the actual weight assigned and carried by the high weight.
In 10 lifetime starts, nine of them victories, Shared Belief has never carried more than 123 pounds, both times in his last two starts, victories, in the San Antonio at 1 1/8 miles and the Malibu (G1) at seven furlongs.
Probable starters with assigned weights for the 78th Santa Anita H. for four-year-olds and up at 1 1/4 miles, which goes as the 10TH race on an 11-race program that starts at noon (PST): Shared Belief, Mike Smith, 125; Bronzo (Fusaichi Pegasus), Tyler Baze, 117; Dynamic Sky (Sky Mesa), Corey Nakatani, 117; Patrioticandproud (Proud Citizen), no rider, 116; Hard Aces (Hard Spun), Victor Espinoza, 115; Sr. Quisqueyano (Exclusive Quality), Joe Talamo, 115; Catch a Flight (Giant's Causeway), Gary Stevens, 114; Cool Samurai (First Samurai), Aaron Gryder, 114; Crimson Giant (Formal Gold), Brandon Boulanger, 114; and Diamond Bachelor (War Front), Martin Pedroza, 114.
In other Big 'Cap news:
Bob Baffert was undecided Sunday morning on whether San Pasqual S. (G2) winner Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday) would start. Asked at 9 a.m. if the four-year-old would run in the race, Baffert said, "Don't know yet."
Crimson Giant might be long on odds but he won't be short on fitness.
"Every single day he gallops at a very high clip," trainer Charlie Stutts said of the six-year-old gelding, winner of only a maiden race from 66 career starts.
The California-bred owned and bred by Bryan Carney has raced six times at this meet alone in a span of nine weeks. His lifetime past performances take up seven inches of space.
Apprentice rider Bryan Boulanger, who celebrates his 21st birthday Sunday, has the mount in the Big 'Cap.
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.
Shared Belief assigned 125 pounds in Big 'Cap
Brisnet
Shared Belief (Candy Ride), "the best horse in the country," will carry his greatest impost ever, top weight of 125 pounds, in Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1).
"I don't think Jerry had any complaints," said Jerry Hollendorfer assistant Dan Ward of the 125 assigned to Shared Belief, the once-beaten male two-year-old champion of 2013 who defeated 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) in the San Antonio Invitational (G2) on February 7.
"The racing secretary (Rick Hammerle) told us Shared Belief is the best horse in the country," Ward said, adding that the disparity in weights from high to low is more significant than the actual weight assigned and carried by the high weight.
In 10 lifetime starts, nine of them victories, Shared Belief has never carried more than 123 pounds, both times in his last two starts, victories, in the San Antonio at 1 1/8 miles and the Malibu (G1) at seven furlongs.
Probable starters with assigned weights for the 78th Santa Anita H. for four-year-olds and up at 1 1/4 miles, which goes as the 10TH race on an 11-race program that starts at noon (PST): Shared Belief, Mike Smith, 125; Bronzo (Fusaichi Pegasus), Tyler Baze, 117; Dynamic Sky (Sky Mesa), Corey Nakatani, 117; Patrioticandproud (Proud Citizen), no rider, 116; Hard Aces (Hard Spun), Victor Espinoza, 115; Sr. Quisqueyano (Exclusive Quality), Joe Talamo, 115; Catch a Flight (Giant's Causeway), Gary Stevens, 114; Cool Samurai (First Samurai), Aaron Gryder, 114; Crimson Giant (Formal Gold), Brandon Boulanger, 114; and Diamond Bachelor (War Front), Martin Pedroza, 114.
In other Big 'Cap news:
Bob Baffert was undecided Sunday morning on whether San Pasqual S. (G2) winner Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday) would start. Asked at 9 a.m. if the four-year-old would run in the race, Baffert said, "Don't know yet."
Crimson Giant might be long on odds but he won't be short on fitness.
"Every single day he gallops at a very high clip," trainer Charlie Stutts said of the six-year-old gelding, winner of only a maiden race from 66 career starts.
The California-bred owned and bred by Bryan Carney has raced six times at this meet alone in a span of nine weeks. His lifetime past performances take up seven inches of space.
Apprentice rider Bryan Boulanger, who celebrates his 21st birthday Sunday, has the mount in the Big 'Cap.
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.