British Isles to run in Big Cap

In late November, for his 22nd start, British Isles had a career change. The then-4-year-old gelding started on dirt after 18 consecutive races on turf.

The surface switch has led to the goal of running British Isles in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 7.

Trained by Richard Baltas, British Isles was a game second in the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Del Mar on Nov. 22, and fifth at 83-1 in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 26.

British Isles was beaten 9 1/2 lengths by Skippylongstocking in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup. While Skippylongstocking is an intended starter in the $300,000 Big Cap at 1 1/4 miles, Baltas thinks the race suits British Isles.

“I thought he ran well,” Baltas said on Friday. “He was on the inside. He could have given it up. I think the winner and second-place horse were pretty clear. It was a lot to ask, to ship across the country. He was running at the end.”

:: Santa Anita Classic Meet! Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, and more.

In the Pegasus World Cup, Skippylongstocking, trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., finished 1 3/4 lengths clear of stablemate White Abarrio, who was 5 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Full Serrano.

British Isles, a winner of 3 of 23 starts, races for Slam Dunk Racing, Debby Baltas, and Cynthia McClanahan.

Aside from Skippylongstocking, the Big Cap field is led by Westwood, winner of the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Jan. 31. Westwood was trained by John Shirreffs, who died earlier this month. Westwood was recently transferred to Peter Eurton.

Trainer Brad Cox said on Friday that he plans to start Just a Touch, who was third in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga last June, and second by a neck in the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Fair Grounds on Jan. 17 in his first start since mid-July.

The Big Cap is one of four major stakes on the March 7 program, along with the Grade 1 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares on dirt, the Grade 2 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf for older horses, and the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. The San Felipe is a key prep race for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

The Baltas-trained Saratoga Special is bound for Keeneland this spring after finishing second in the Wishing Well Stakes at six furlongs for fillies and mares on turf in her American debut at Santa Anita on Feb. 21. Imported from Britain in recent months, Saratoga Special was beaten a head by the undefeated filly Grateful in the Wishing Well Stakes. Saratoga Special was always within a length of pacesetter Grateful, a position that surprised Baltas.

“I was pleased with the effort,” Baltas said. “I didn’t know she would jump out of the gate as well as she did. She wanted to go. She made a damn good run.”

Baltas said Saratoga Special is a candidate for the Grade 2 Giant’s Causeway Stakes, a $400,000 race for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Keeneland on April 12. Grateful could appear in the same race, trainer Robert Falcone Jr. said last weekend.

Saratoga Special races for Abbondanza Racing and TCC Stables.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.