Baltas thinking Big Cap for Two Thirty Five

ARCADIA, Calif. – Two Thirty Five, second to Midcourt in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 1, is a candidate for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 7, trainer Richard Baltas said.

The $600,000 Big Cap is run at 1 1/4 miles and would be Two Thirty Five’s first start at the distance since a seventh in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August 2018. Last August, Two Thirty Five won the Harry Brubaker Stakes at a mile at Del Mar.

In the San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, Two Thirty Five closed from fourth in a field of nine to finish 3 1/2 lengths behind Midcourt as a 22-1 outsider.

“I was surprised he ran as well as he did,” Baltas said.

Midcourt led throughout the San Pasqual and is a leading contender for the Big Cap, the top race for older horses at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting. Gift Box, who won the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles in December and the Big Cap last April, is another Big Cap probable.

Baltas said he does not fear Midcourt.

“He’s a good horse,” Baltas said. “He did get an easy lead.”

A 6-year-old gelding, Two Thirty Five has won 5 of 21 starts and earned $268,165.