After more than a year off, Spirit of Makena returns in San Carlos
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Two years ago, Spirit of Makena was in peak form in sprints at Santa Anita, winning consecutive starts in graded stakes, including the Grade 3 San Carlos Stakes.
On Saturday, Spirit of Makena is back in the $100,000 San Carlos at seven furlongs for his first start in 18 months. The San Carlos can show whether the now 7-year-old Spirit of Makena will be a factor in California’s sprint division.
“I hope he surprises me, but he’s been off for a year,” trainer George Papaprodromou forewarned on Thursday. “He might need the race.”
Papaprodromou said that Spirit of Makena has been sidelined repeatedly by quarter cracks. Owned by Kris Chandler, Spirit of Makena finished last of nine in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship in September 2023 before he was rested. He was in training last summer before he was given another layoff.
“He had some quarter crack issues and we had to let them heal,” Papaprodromou said.
The issue is not a current concern.
“So far, so good,” Papaprodromou said.
Only five were entered in the San Carlos. At the least, the San Carlos could give Spirit of Makena a much-needed start and build toward the Grade 3 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs on May 31 as well as more lucrative sprint stakes at Del Mar this summer.
“I think” he can come back, Papaprodromou said. “He’s training great. Hopefully, we can keep sound and keep him going.”
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