Big John B can restore order to Tokyo City Cup
ARCADIA, Calif. – The Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup has become one of the most perplexing stakes races of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita. Though 1 1/2-mile dirt races seldom are run, one would expect a favorite to occasionally deliver. It has never happened in the Tokyo City.
Favorites are 0 for 8 since 2008, when the race was lengthened from nine furlongs to a 12-furlong marathon. Only two favorites have even hit the board at the new trip, while seven winners paid double-digit mutuels. This is welcome for longshot bettors and a challenge for conventional handicappers.
Big John B and Lieutenant Colonel will try to undo the Tokyo City chaos Sunday at Santa Anita. Either could start favored – multiple graded stakes winner Big John B rallying from behind or sharp front-runner Lieutenant Colonel loose on the lead.
Seven were entered in the $100,000 Tokyo City, race 8. Along with Big John B and Lieutenant Colonel, the field includes the dropper Class Leader, Ike Walker, John’s Success, China Girl Lover, and Blingo.
Big John B enters with murky form. Last out on turf, he finished seventh as the favorite in a Grade 2. Why? Trainer Phil D’Amato contends that Big John B does not care for the Santa Anita turf. He believes Big John B’s misfire was merely a reflection of his dislike for footing that is less than firm. The course was rated “good.”
“That race took nothing out of him,” D’Amato said. “When he doesn’t care for a turf course, he just kind of runs around there without trying.”
When he does try, Big John B is among the circuit’s top long-distance runners on either surface. He won the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap on turf the last two years and the Grade 3 Cougar II on Del Mar’s dirt last year.
Big John B, 7, was full of energy while galloping 1 1/2 miles on Thursday before entries were drawn. He enters the Tokyo City as the class of the field and the most probable winner.
Big John B’s main rival is trying a graded stakes for the first time. Lieutenant Colonel won a first-level allowance Feb. 15, followed by a second-level allowance March 6 at 1 1/8 miles. Jerry Hollendorfer and assistant Dan Ward train the gelding. He could shake loose.
“He’ll be able to go nice and easy the first part; he’ll go as slow as you want,” Ward said. “He worked 1:03 the other day; he’s not speed-crazy. He’ll do whatever you want.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Big John B, by Hard Spun
Last 3 Beyers: 90-96-81
◗ He has won 14 races and $789,770 from 39 starts. Most of his earnings were generated after he was claimed in the spring of 2014 for $50,000 by owner Michael House.
◗ The Tokyo City is his first start on dirt since he won the Cougar II last summer at Del Mar.
◗ Regarding Sunday, D’Amato said, “The distance is right. He trains great on this surface.”
Lieutenant Colonel, by Colonel John
Last 3 Beyers: 95-90-74
◗ Mike Smith is the new rider for Lieutenant Colonel, who was ridden by Rafael Bejarano in his last two starts. Bejarano sticks with Big John B.
◗ Lieutenant Colonel, assuming he sets the pace, could be the first Tokyo City winner to lead gate to wire at 1 1/2 miles.
Class Leader, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 95-93-94
◗ Sixth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap last out, Class Leader has won 3 of 19.
“The class relief is going to help him,” trainer John Sadler said. “He’s a natural galloper. I think the distance is in his favor, and a little easier [competition].”
◗ Victor Espinoza will ride Class Leader for the first time.