Streaking Express Train Looms A Standout In Saturday’s Grade II Californian Stakes

Posted On 28 Apr 2022

By Mike Willman —-

STREAKING EXPRESS TRAIN LOOMS A STANDOUT IN SATURDAY’S GRADE II, $200,000 CALIFORNIAN STAKES AS 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP GO 1 1/8 MILES

CALIFORNIAN IS AN ICONIC PREP TO GRADE I HOLLYWOOD GOLD CUP ON MAY 30

ARCADIA, Calif. (April 27, 2022)—In search of his fourth consecutive graded stakes win at the current meeting, the John Shirreffs-trained Express Train steams into Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita as a complete standout as five 3-year-olds and up go a mile and one eighth in preparation for the Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup on May 30.

A gutty head winner of the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap at a mile and one quarter on March 5, C R K Stable’s Express Train posted a 3 ¼ length score in the Grade II San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 5 and he got the ball rolling with a nose victory in the Grade II San Antonio at 1 1/16 miles on opening day, Dec. 26.

A 5-year-old horse by Union Rags, Express Train, who was off as the even money favorite in the Big ’Cap, posted a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure, one of five triple digit Beyer’s dating back to his win in the 2021 San Pasqual. With the Grade I Gold Cup figuring as an immediate objective, the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 5 looms his ultimate objective.

The leading money earner in the field with $1,325,800, Express Train, who has five graded stakes wins, is 17-7-4-3 overall.

Although he was a big third, beaten 4 ¼ lengths by Life Is Good two starts back in the Grade I Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream on Jan. 29, Stilleto Boy disappointed in the Santa Anita Handicap, as he never threatened while finishing third, nine lengths behind Express Train at odds of 2-1.

Trained by Ed Moger and owned by his brother Steve Moger, Stilleto Boy, who will be ridden for the first time by Juan Hernandez, figures to be hustled into contention early on Saturday. A 4-year-old gelding by Shackleford, Stilleto Boy, who earned a lofty 104 Beyer in the Pegasus World Cup, is 14-2-3-6 overall with earnings of $911,175.

Claimed out of a dazzling 3 ¾ length win going a flat mile for a $50,000 tag on April 3, Hronis Racing’s Holden the Lute, who recorded a career-best 95 Beyer Speed Figure, looms an upset threat as he tries to stretch his speed to a mile and one eighth for the first time with hot-riding Ramon Vazquez taking over.

Trained by John Sadler, Holden the Lute, a 5-year-old gelding by Midnight Lute, will try stakes competition for the first time. With an overall mark of 21-4-4-2, Holden the Lute has earnings of $146,300.

THE GRADE II CALIFORNIAN WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 6 of 12 Approximate post time 3:30 p.m. PT

Spielberg—Abel Cedillo–120
Holden the Lute—Ramon Vazquez—120
Express Train—Victor Espinoza—124
Shaaz—Mike Smith—120
Stilleto Boy—Juan Hernandez–120

First post time for a 12-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m. with admission gates opening at 11 a.m.

ABOUT THE STRONACH GROUP AND 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST RACING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST EXPERIENCE, and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING drives the best-in-class horse racing operations at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the newly formed operating group for all of 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, GWS and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horse racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horse racing on and off the track. For more information, please visit www.1st.com.

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Santa Anita Park 285 W. Huntington Dr. Arcadia, CA 91007

Classy Beyond Brilliant Heads Saturday’s Grade II, $225,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes
Subject:
Classy Beyond Brilliant Heads Saturday’s Grade II, $225,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes
From:
Santa Anita Park Press Box
Date:
4/27/2022, 3:26 PM
To:
Ron Cornell

Santa Anita Park
Contact: Mike Willman; Mike.Willman@santaanita.com
Beyond Brilliant HolDerby

BEYOND BRILLIANT

BENOIT PHOTO

CLASSY BEYOND BRILLIANT HEADS SATURDAY’S GRADE II, $225,000 CHARLES WHITTINGHAM STAKES AS 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP GO 1 ¼ MILES ON TURF

ARCADIA, Calif. (April 27, 2022)—C R K Stable’s classy Beyond Brilliant will try to stretch his speed to a mile and one quarter on turf as he heads a field of seven 3-year-olds and up in Saturday’s Grade II, $225,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita.

Sent to the front in the Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile (turf) on March 5, Beyond Brilliant showed the way to deep stretch before grudgingly giving way to finish fourth, beaten one length at odds of 9-1. A front-running neck winner of the Grade I Hollywood Derby at a mile and one eighth on turf three starts back at Del Mar on Nov. 27, he’ll be trying a mile and one quarter for the first time in what will be his 12th career start.

Trained by John Shirreffs, Beyond Brilliant, a 4-year-old colt by Twirling Candy out of the First Defence mare Summer On the Lawn, was ridden for the first time by Victor Espinoza in the Kilroe Mile and will be ridden back by Espinoza on Saturday.

Although he finished fourth, Beyond Brilliant earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure, the best of his career in the Kilroe. With an overall mark of 11-3-3-2, he has earnings of $451,280.

Trained by Richard Baltas, long fused Masteroffoxhounds makes his second start of the year in the Whittingham and merits a big look off of a second place finish in a classified allowance going one mile on turf here March 25. Sent to the lead by Juan Hernandez, Masteroffoxhounds gave way grudgingly late, finishing second by a half length at odds of 2-1.

A winner of the Grade II San Marcos stakes going a mile and one quarter over the turf six starts back on Feb. 6, 2021, Masteroffoxhounds, a 5-year-old horse by War Front, has proven versatile and can either stalk the early pace or go to the front.

Owned by Rockingham Ranch, Masteroffoxhounds seeks his second graded stakes victory and third win in what will be his ninth stateside start with Baltas. Originally raced in Ireland, where he posted one win from six starts, he’s 14-3-2-2 overall with earnings of $260,042.

Trainer Leonard Powell’s English-bred Dicey Mo Chara, second by a half length in the Grade II San Luis Rey Stakes on March 12, shortens up a quarter mile with Drayden Van Dyke and appears in top form as he seeks his first graded stakes win. Close to the early pace in his last two starts, Dicey Mo Chara, a 4-year-old gelding, was a solid half length winner of a second condition allowance going a mile and one eighth on turf two starts back on Feb. 4.

Owned by Red Baron’s Barn, LLC and Rancho Temescal, Dicey Mo Chara has an overall mark of 10-3-3-1 and has earnings of $200,277.

Leading trainer Phil D’Amato will be well represented by a pair of runners, Rio Del Sol Stables’ 5-year-old Gregdar, who has been close in three turf sprints at the current meet and thus figures to attend the pace on Saturday under regular rider Ryan Curatolo, and 4-year-old Gold Phoenix, an Irish-bred gelding who was favored in all three of his stateside starts.

Gold Phoenix was up to win a first condition allowance going one mile on turf by a neck on April 2 and will be ridden back by Kyle Frey. Owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, LLC and Marsha Naify, Gold Phoenix has two wins and as many second from four starts.

THE GRADE II CHARLES WHITTINGHAM WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 11 of 12 Approximate post time 6 p.m. PT

Gregdar—Ryan Curatolo—122
Dean Martini—Abel Cedillo—122
Majestic Eagle—Mike Smith—122
Dicey Mo Chara—Drayden Van Dyke—122
Gold Phoenix—Kyle Frey—122
Masteroffoxhounds—Juan Hernandez—122
Beyond Brilliant—Victor Espinoza–126

First post time for a 12-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m. Admission gates open at 11 a.m.

ABOUT THE STRONACH GROUP AND 1/ST

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