Acclimate has the speed to go all the way in San Marcos

ARCADIA, Calif. – Distance turf racing last year in California centered around United, who won four graded stakes and emerged as undisputed leader of the division. More of the same is expected from United this year.

However, the gelding is weeks away from a 2021 debut that is penciled for some time in late March. His absence from the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes, a race United won last year, leaves a modest cast for the 1 1/4-mile turf race Saturday at Santa Anita.

If a challenge to United arrives this year, it might be Acclimate, the likely favorite over five rivals in the San Marcos, race 4. Based on current form and a favorable pace scenario, front-runner Acclimate might be long gone.

Six entered the San Marcos, including upset candidate Salvator Mundi, the Phil D’Amato-trained stablemate of Acclimate. Richard Baltas also entered two – Oscar Dominguez and Masteroffoxhounds. The outsiders are Cleopatra’s Strike and Starting Over.

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Acclimate, who won two graded stakes in 2019 but missed most of 2020, is quickly making up for lost time. Fourth in his comeback, he finished third as the favorite in the $200,000 Turf Classic, a 1 1/8-mile California-bred race on Jan. 16.

Plans initially called for Acclimate to wheel right back in the San Marcos on Jan. 30. Santa Anita postponed the race by a week because of rain and course condition.

“I was going to come back last week, so this extra week helped,” D’Amato said. “And he came out of the [Turf Classic] so sharp, like that race was a workout.”

The pace of the Turf Classic was bizarre. Front-runner Cono opened a ridiculous 10-length lead after a 44.76-second half-mile before he cracked. Acclimate, first over, was worn down in deep stretch.

“All things considered, the way the race was run and not his optimal distance, I don’t think it was a bad race,” D’Amato said.

Acclimate and jockey Tyler Baze could shake loose Saturday at his preferred distance.

“A mile and a quarter, a mile and a half, those are his wheelhouse races,” D’Amato said.

If the front-runner does not stay, D’Amato has backup. Salvator Mundi will rally from behind, though distance is problematic. The last time he ran a mile and a quarter, Salvator Mundi finished next to last in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship, won by United. Salvator Mundi was taken out of his game plan that race by pressing the pace, contrary to his preferred style.

“He needs to get his feet under him and come with a run,” D’Amato said. “We’re going to try newer tactics with him this time and see what he does.”

Loosely translated, that means Salvator Mundi’s new rider, Flavien Prat, will take back early and rally late.

Oscar Dominguez won the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup in 2019 but has not won since. He finished third last year in the San Marcos. Masteroffoxhounds, also trained by Baltas, won a 1 3/8-mile entry-level allowance last out by more than four lengths.