Bar set high for Kaigun in Arcadia Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – Kaigun and jockey Corey Nakatani had the perfect first outing in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar on Nov. 28.
“He made me look good,” Nakatani said. “He’s an old pro.”
The “old pro” in Kaigun won the Seabiscuit Handicap by three-quarters of a length, closing from last in a field of eight. The Seabiscuit was Kaigun’s fifth win in his 18th start. On Saturday, Nakatani will have high expectations when he rides Kaigun in the $200,000 Arcadia Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.
Once again, Kaigun may have a pace to follow. The field of nine includes the speedy El Nino Terrible, who is making his turf debut.
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KEY CONTENDERS
Kaigun (Last 3 Beyers: 98-94-97)
◗ Trained by Mark Casse for a partnership that includes Gary Barber, Kaigun was 10th of 14 as a 42-1 shot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile here Nov. 1. The Seabiscuit Handicap was the first win for Kaigun since the Play the King Stakes at seven furlongs on turf at Woodbine in August.
“His class came through, and he ran them down,” Nakatani said of the Seabiscuit.
◗ Last fall, Kaigun was second in the Woodbine Mile and fourth behind two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.
◗ Nakatani said the key to riding Kaigun is to be patient.
“I think the horse can be placed where you want him to be,” he said. “He can be close or come from behind. That’s the type of horse you will need to win the race.”
Za Approval (Last 3 Beyers: 94-96-97)
◗ Za Approval was second in the Seabiscuit Handicap when trained by Christophe Clement. The 7-year-old gelding was switched to Casse’s stable in December and finished fourth in the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 10.
◗ Za Approval has raced twice at Santa Anita, finishing second in the 2013 BC Mile and fourth in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile last March. An eight-time winner in 24 starts, Za Approval has earned $1,224,371, the highest earnings in the Arcadia Stakes field.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Za Approval. Has compiled a record of 6-0-1-0 since the end of 2013 in route races on firm turf.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Home Run Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 91-88-93)
◗ Home Run Kitten had erratic form in late 2014 in his final starts at 3. He won the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes on the hillside turf course in his debut against older horses in September but was 11th in the BC Turf Sprint on Nov. 1.
◗ Home Run Kitten rebounded to finish a fast-closing second to Alert Bay in the Grade 2 Mathis Bros. Mile on turf for 3-year-olds on Dec. 26. Last weekend, Alert Bay won his fifth consecutive stakes in the $250,500 California Cup Turf Classic for statebreds.
◗ Home Run Kitten needs a solid pace to help his chances in the Arcadia, trainer David Hofmans said. At the same time, Hofmans acknowledged the threat of runners such as Kaigun.
“There is enough speed in there to help him, but there are enough closers, too,” he said. “He’s fit. He tries hard.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 9 Avanzare. Trainer Tom Proctor is 11-6-1-1 with a $5.10 ROI over the past two years going synthetic to turf in routes with Gary Stevens aboard. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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