SANTA ANITA STABLE NOTES

By Mike Willman —-

STABLE NOTES BY MIKE WILLMAN

BARGAIN BUY OSCAR DOMINGUEZ READY FOR SAN MARCOS
SANTA ANITA HOSTS LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY EVENT TODAY
CHIEFS OR 49ers? HORSEMEN AREN’T PUNTING
COME FOR THE RACES AND STAY FOR BIG GAME SUNDAY AT 11:30 AM
WITH SIX ENTERED, BAFFERT TWO WINS AWAY FROM 3,000
‘OVERACHIEVER’ OSCAR DOMINGUEZ SET FOR TODAY’S SAN MARCOS

From a $40,000 claiming purchase seven starts back on Feb. 7, 2019, to a Grade II Stakes winner Dec. 1, Irish-bred Oscar Dominguez has by any accounting exceeded all expectations for trainer Richard Baltas.

“He’s been an overachiever, no question,” said Baltas on a picture perfect Saturday morning at Clockers’ Corner. “We’ve got him at San Luis Rey Downs and he’s done really well down there. He’s stayed sound and that’s the most important thing.”

Last after the first half mile in a field of 10 in the Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 ½ miles over the Del Mar turf Dec. 1, “Oscar,” a 7-year-old gelding by Zoffany, demonstrated a tremendous turn of foot at odds of 11-1 under John Velazquez.

With leading man Joel Rosario in the irons for today’s Grade II, $200,000 San Marcos at a mile and one quarter on turf, does Baltas think his prize purchase will have the same closing kick shortening up a quarter mile?

“Obviously, it depends on the pace,” said Baltas. “I’m glad we’ve got Joel. He’s a great judge of pace and a powerful finisher.”

SANTA ANITA HOSTS LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY EVENT TODAY

Santa Anita will host a fundraiser to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s fight against cancer in the East Paddock Gardens. Trainer Craig Dollase’s daughter, Alyssa, and her classmate Kimberly Cabral, are heading the effort as both are candidates for the Society’s Student of the Year program.

Fans are encouraged to stop by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s tent today. The first 500 fans to donate will each receive a free 2020 Santa Anita Park wall calendar. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com/events.

BIG GAME SUNDAY AT SANTA ANITA STARTS AT 11:30 A.M

Come for the races and stay for the Big Game. That’s the plan this Sunday at Santa Anita, as racegoers will be treated to a seven-race program that gets underway at 11:30 a.m. with free General Admission, drink specials and a free $3,000 Football Contest.

With the decision to go with a seven-race card, Santa Anita officials opted to move post time back 30 minutes, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in order to accommodate those that intend to stay for the game which is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. PT.

Fans are also encouraged to visit Santa Anita’s spacious Infield Area with free General Admission and parking offered each weekend via Gate 6 off of Colorado Place.

For additional information regarding Big Game Sunday at Santa Anita, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

HORSEMEN EAGER TO WEIGH IN ON SUPER BOWL 54

Although intimate knowledge may be in short supply, Santa Anita horsemen were again eager to weigh in on the Big Game this Sunday pitting the San Francisco 49ers versus the Kansas City Chiefs:

Richard Mandella, HOF trainer—“CHIEFS, I LIKE THAT QUARTERBACK.”

Gary Mandella, trainer—“CHIEFS.”

Hector Palma, trainer—“KANSAS CITY.”

Aidan Butler, racing exec.—“I’LL GO 49ers.”

Vince DeGregory, agent—“I LIKE KANSAS CITY.”

Michael McCarthy, trainer—“I LOVE MAHOMES, BUT I THINK THE 49ers ARE PRETTY GOOD.”

Phil D’Amato, trainer—“49ers.”

Iggy Puglisi, jockey—“WHO’S PLAYING?”

David Bernstein, trainer—“GONNA PICK THE CALIFORNIA TEAM.”

Tim Yakteen, trainer—“49ers.”

Millie Ball, XBTV—“I’LL HAVE TO CHECK WITH KURT HOOVER.”

“Jungle Jim” Giannone, agent—“TAKE KANSAS CITY.”

Christina Blacker, TVG—“KANSAS CITY, ONE OF DAN’S CLIENTS IS A BIG FAN.”

Dan Blacker, trainer—“KANSAS CITY.”

Zoe Cadman, XBTV—“KANSAS CITY.”

Art Sisson, owner/player—“I THINK IT’S A TOSS-UP.”

Marcel Polanco, trainer—“49ers.”

Dave Randall—owner/trainer—“49ers.”

Asa Espinoza, jockey—“I ALWAYS WANT TO RIDE THE FAVORITE, KANSAS CITY.”

Craig Stephen, agent—“KANSAS CITY.”

Steve Miyadi, trainer—“49ers.”

Victor Garcia, trainer—“KANSAS CITY.”

Steve Byk—radio host—“CHIEFS.”

Nate Newby, racing exec.—“CHIEFS.”

Steve Andersen, DRF—“CHIEFS.”

Jeff Metz, trainer—“49ers.”

Zoe Metz, photographer—“WHO’S PLAYING?”

Derek Lawson, agent—“CHIEFS.”

Matt Nakatani, agent—“49ers.”

Alex Solis II, racing manager—“I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO’S PLAYING.”

Gary Young, clocker—“NINERS.”

Carla Gaines, trainer—“NINERS.”

Kurt Hoover, TVG—“CHIEFS.”

FINISH LINES: … Golden Gate Fields is closed this weekend due to repairs of the track’s hot water system…Notable works among a total of 197 this morning: Countdown to 3k—Bob Baffert, who has six horses entered today, is just two wins shy of 3,000 in his incredible Hall of Fame career…Ashleyluvssugar, 48.40, Starr of Quality, 50.60, Ward ’n Jerry, 48.80, Dr. Dorr, 1:00 flat, Frontier Market, 1:15 flat, Gidgetta, 49.00, Mucho Unusual, 1:01.40, Ohio, 49.80, St. Joe Bay, 59.60, Taishan, 59.80 and Storm the Hill (training track), 1:01.20…Leading rider Joel Rosario, who registered a hat trick yesterday, has been suspended three racing days, Feb. 6, 7 & 8, for a disqualification which came aboard Ghoul, who was moved from second to fifth in last Sunday’s Clockers’ Corner Stakes…Santa Anita offers $2 beer and $6 specialty cocktails each Friday at designated locations throughout the track. Specialty cocktails include a Baldwin Buck, Margarita and other selected cocktails. There is also free Club House and General Admission each Friday . . . FIRST POST ON BIG GAME SUNDAY, FEB. 2., IS EARLY AT 11:30 A.M. COME FOR THE RACES AND STAY FOR THE BIG GAME!