Chiropractor pointing to San Gabriel Stakes

The 3-year-old Chiropractor, the upset winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Nov. 29, is expected to make his next start in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes against older horses at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Jan. 2.

Craig Bernick, whose family’s Glen Hill Farm owns Chiropractor, said the distance of the Grade 2 San Gabriel has greater appeal than the one mile of the $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds on turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

“I think he’s better at 1 1/8 miles or farther than that,” Bernick said. “He beat 3-year-olds, but he’s run well against older horses. We’re anxious to see how he runs. He seems like he’s going in the right way.”

Trained by Tom Proctor, Chiropractor made his stakes debut in the Hollywood Derby, winning the race at 1 1/8 miles by a head at 14-1. Chiropractor did not begin racing until May. As a yearling, he sustained a back injury that jeopardized his survival, Bernick said after the Hollywood Derby. Chiropractor began training as a 2-year-old.

A gelding, Chiropractor has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $273,100.