02/19/2013 3:38PM

Santa Anita: The Lumber Guy back in San Carlos

By Steve Andersen
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Susie Raisher
The Lumber Guy will return to racing on Saturday in the San Carlos Stakes.

A disrupted start to 2013 appears to be behind The Lumber Guy, a Grade 1 winner in 2012.

After finishing seventh in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, The Lumber Guy was briefly sidelined with a bruised foot, missing an expected start in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes over six furlongs here Jan. 19. He returns to racing in Saturday’s $200,000 San Carlos Stakes over seven furlongs.

The latest evidence that The Lumber Guy had recovered from the setback occurred Sunday, when he zoomed five furlongs in 58.40 seconds in a morning workout at Santa Anita, the fastest of 38 recorded works at the distance. Garrett Gomez, who rides The Lumber Guy on Saturday, was aboard for the workout, which was much faster than a typical work for a horse trained by Hall of Famer Neil Drysdale.

“I thought he went well,” Drysdale said. “He was just breezing.”

Owned by Barry Schwartz, The Lumber Guy has won 4 of 8 starts and $736,050. The winner of the Grade 2 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct last April, The Lumber Guy won the Grade 1 Vosburgh Handicap last September after a four-month layoff. Trained last fall by Michael Hushion, The Lumber Guy was second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint here, closing from fourth in a field of 14 to finish three-quarters of a length behind Trinniberg.

The Malibu is The Lumber Guy’s only start for Drysdale. Since mid-January, The Lumber Guy has worked on a weekly basis for his comeback.

“I think we’re on target,” Drysdale said.

The San Carlos field is expected to be led by Midnight Transfer, sharp winner of an optional claimer in his first start in nine months Jan. 12.

Leading jockey Rafael Bejarano has the mount on Midnight Transfer.

Other probable starters are Capital Account, Clubhouse Ride, Drill, Justin Phillip, and Sahara Sky, winner of the Palos Verdes Stakes.

Jack Kronis 10 months ago
I'll be routing for The Lumber Guy!!!
Jerome Moynihan 10 months ago
I'm going to take a flyer in here with Capital Account. Nice half the other day in 45 and change. Distance is perfect.rider fits him well.speed should set up nicely for a closer, and I always fancy BB at a price
Matt 10 months ago
Lumber Guy will win. Gomez only rides lives mounts...this horse is ready to roll!
Sol Geno 10 months ago
Drysdale has had time to really train him and Barry Scharwtz is a big time owner expect a top effort if he was not ready he would be back in NY
Alex 10 months ago
When was the last time Drysdale trained a good sprinter? Gold Land??
chad mc rory 10 months ago
If he's right, Justin Phillip is way more than an 'other probable starter.'
Billy Spathanas 10 months ago
I like this horse The Lumber Guy. But I have to say bring him back to New York where he belongs. A very good NY Bred in California . Why ? Maybe its the nice weather ?
Joseph Emanuelo 10 months ago
Get rid of Drysdale. Send back to Hushion.
anonymous 10 months ago
I love his name.
Richard 10 months ago
Lumber Guy is racing in the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita at seven furlongs Feb.23, 2013 for Neil Drysdale. Lumber Guy has raced at seven furlongs before and has a win at that distance with a 96 beyer. In The Vosburgh Invitational at Belmont Sep. 29, 2012 he won with a 110 beyer. Trinniberg barely beat him by ¾ of a length in The Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He runs well at six furlongs! I think he was still beat from The Breeders Cup Sprint because he raced a tough race. In The Malibu Stakes, Gr.1, $300,000 was run at seven furlongs and he came in seventh, the worst he has ever raced. He is with Neil Drysdale now and he knows how to prepare horses careers. He is starting his four year old career. Sunday he sizzled five furlongs in 58:40. I expect good things for him this year and a good race if the track is fast and firm. We are expecting rain and wind but it could all be nice and dry by Saturday.