Atitlan to try new distance in San Marcos Stakes

Atitlan is winless in two starts since a 6-1 surprise victory in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Oct. 26 at Santa Anita.

After losses at Del Mar in November and Santa Anita on Dec. 26, both against 3-year-olds, Atitlan is set to start in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita. He will race against older horses for the first time and at a new distance of 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Of those new elements, trainer John Shirreffs was clear on Sunday which is more of a concern.

“Not having done the distance is more of a disadvantage,” he said.

There are no turf stakes restricted to 4-year-olds at Santa Anita, making the $100,000 San Marcos an obvious objective.

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Atitlan rallied from fourth to win the Twilight Derby in a manner suggesting he could handle a longer trip. In the Hollywood Derby, Atitlan was 10th of 11 to the final turn, farther back than expected under jockey Hector Berrios. He eventually finished seventh.

“He thought he could come from way back,” Shirreffs said of Berrios. “After the race, he said he was sorry.”

While Mike Smith rode Atitlan to a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Mathis Mile on turf on Dec. 26, Berrios has regained the mount for Saturday, Shirreffs said.

The San Marcos field is expected to include Divin Propos, Easter, There Goes Harvard, and Truly Quality, the winner of three consecutive turf stakes last summer and fall.

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