Blinkers may help Kobe's Back break more alertly in Palos Verdes
ARCADIA, Calif. – It is unfair to summarize Kobe’s Back in just two words: “off slow.” But it is accurate.
Kobe’s Back, despite breaking slowly in 11 of 16 starts, including his last four, has won three stakes, earned $652,250, and secured a reputation as one of the most talented and frustrating sprinters in Southern California.
How good would he be if he learned how to leave the gate?
“He’s not nervous in the gate,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “He just kind of sits in there and drops his leg. Sometimes he’s on three legs in there, and he gets caught off guard.”
On Sunday at Santa Anita, Kobe’s Back will try again in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs. His rivals are the likely favorite Salutos Amigos, upset candidate Pulling G’s, and the “off slow” demons inside Kobe’s Back’s head.
Sunday might be different. For the first time, Kobe’s Back will wear blinkers in a race.
“We’re hoping he’s a little more aggressive,” Eurton said. “I think we’ve accomplished that in his work. Whether he’ll break better or not remains to be seen.”
Along with jockey Gary Stevens and owners Lee and Susan Searing, Eurton is hopeful that blinkers help facilitate a clean start. The French-cup blinkers are narrow, less than 1 1/2 inches wide.
“The theory is he will be a bit more focused and not watch anything, like a starter behind him or a horse to his side,” Eurton said.
Kobe’s Back has worn blinkers daily since resuming training in December.
“We’re trying to get a little more focus in him, put him a little more on the bridle,” Eurton said. “Not necessarily ‘use’ him, just try to get him to leave there running. He’s working very good with them … very good.”
The purse for the Palos Verdes is $200,000; the significance is 10 times higher. Kobe’s Back was invited to the $2 million Golden Shaheen in Dubai on March 26. If he breaks slowly Sunday and merely picks up the pieces, it would be more difficult to justify the trip.
Rocket Heat is expected to set the pace; Mystery Train and Cautious Giant also entered. The Palos Verdes is race 6 on an eight-race card that starts early at 11 a.m. Pacific.
Palos Verdes, Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Kobe’s Back, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 98-97-78
◗ In his career debut at 2, Kobe’s Back overcame a slow start to win the 2013 Willard Proctor Stakes at Hollywood Park. He also won the Grade 2 San Vicente at Santa Anita in 2014 and the Grade 3 Commonwealth at Keeneland in 2015.
◗ In his most recent start Oct. 31 at Keeneland, Kobe’s Back finished seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. That race produced three next-out winners.
◗ Originally trained by John Sadler, Kobe’s Back was transferred to Eurton in early 2015.
◗ The Searings, whose stable name is CRK Stable, won the Golden Shaheen in 2004 with the Sadler-trained Our New Recruit.
Pulling G’s, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 93-99-97
◗ Pulling G’s finished third last month in the Grade 3 Midnight Lute. He broke slowly, made a middle move, and lost his punch.
◗ Trainer John Shirreffs expects improvement now that Victor Espinoza is reacquainted with his idiosyncrasies.
“He’s a horse that pretty much has to be ridden the whole way,” Shirreffs said.
Salutos Amigos, by Salute the Sarge
Last 3 Beyers: 97-97-98
◗ The runner-up in the Midnight Lute, he could go favored in the Palos Verdes for trainer David Jacobson.