Santa Anita: Biancone has high-priced prospect

Benoit & Associaties

Jeranimo won the Grade 2 San Gabriel last out Jan. 13 and is targeting the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on May 4.

Trainer Patrick Biancone may have a 2-year-old to follow at Del Mar this summer.

On March 4, Biancone paid $570,000 for a War Front colt at the Barretts March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training, buying on behalf of Southern California owner Kin Hui. The colt was sent to Washington state for the early spring and is likely to return to Biancone’s stable for training next month.

“He can get a good break,” Biancone said. “I’d say he’ll be back at the end of April. We can relax him a little bit.”

The War Front colt was the third-most-expensive juvenile in the sale. He is the first foal out of Seasoned, who was stakes-placed at Louisiana Downs. Biancone thinks the colt will be best in longer races later this year.

“I think Del Mar is more likely,” he said. “He’s not really bred to be a sprinter. At the end of the day, he should be a two-turn horse.”

Jeranimo eyes Woodford Reserve Turf Classic

Jeranimo, the winner of the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes in his last start Jan. 13, is being pointed toward the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 4, trainer Mike Pender said.

A winner of 9 of 32 starts and $1,197,400, Jeranimo is co-owned by B.J. Wright and Robert LaPenta. Earlier this year, LaPenta bought an interest in Jeranimo, with the intent of sending the 7-year-old horse to trainer Chad Brown on the East Coast later this year.

Pender will train the horse at least through the Woodford Reserve.