Cleopatra's Strike among San Gabriel probables

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 2019 stakes winners Cleopatra’s Strike and Majestic Eagle are among seven probable starters in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Cleopatra’s Strike won the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles here on Sept. 29, but was fourth by a length in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar on Dec. 1. Majestic Eagle won the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile here in June, but is winless in three subsequent starts.

Other expected runners in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes are Acker, Chosen Vessel, Desert Stone, North County Guy, and Overdue.

Starter bonus increased

Owners will be guaranteed $500 for each starter at Southern California tracks in 2020 as a way to offset costs, an increase from $351 in 2019, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

The bonus, which has been increased from $300 to $450 at Golden Gate Fields, is designed to help pay for a rise in workers’ compensation insurance in the new year, among other costs. The bonus will be paid to horses that finish sixth or worse, and to fifth-place finishers if their share of a purse does not reach $500.

Beginning Wednesday, owners were billed $120 for each runner to cover their portion of funding for workers’ compensation costs. The previous fee was $106, the TOC’s statement said.

Pereira suspended

Tiago Pereira has been suspended three days for causing interference in the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita on Saturday.

The suspension begins on Sunday and covers racing on Jan. 10-11. Pereira, 43, was cited for altering course without clearance on So Much Happy, who set the pace before fading to finish last.

Mucho Unusual, who finished second by a half-length to Lady Prancealot, was steadied in the first turn of the American Oaks.