Drysdale, D'Amato empty barn for San Luis Rey Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – The veteran mare Gaga A is winding down her career at the same time as the upstart filly Havanna Belle is winding up. They meet for the second time Saturday at Santa Anita as key contenders in a 1 1/2-mile turf stakes.

The 12-runner field in the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes includes five horses, three geldings, three mares, and a filly. Trainers Neil Drysdale and Phil D’Amato account for most of the field.

Drysdale entered four, including the soon-to-be-retired Gaga A, the runner-up last out in the Grade 2 San Marcos, along with Going Somewhere, Power Foot, and Energia Fribby. D’Amato’s trio is the filly Havanna Belle, the multiple graded stakes winner Big John B, and Highball.

The others in the field are Southern Freedom, Quick Casablanca, Life’s Journey, Generosidade, and Patentar. The San Luis Rey is a difficult race to handicap.

KEY CONTENDERS

Gaga A, by T. H. Approval

Last 3 Beyers: 96-86-92

◗ She finished second last time out in the San Marcos, won by the Dubai-bound Flamboyant. Drysdale said tentative plans are for Gaga A to make her final start next month at Keeneland. “She’s going to be bred this year,” Drysdale said.

◗ A 7-year-old world traveler, Gaga A was bred in Uruguay and raced in Brazil, Argentina, France, and the United States. She has won five of 32 starts and will be ridden Sunday by Mario Gutierrez.

Havanna Belle, by Teofilo

Last 3 Beyers: 90-73-84

◗ The trouble-prone filly was ridden for the first time by Brice Blanc last out and produced a career-best effort to upset the Astra Stakes for fillies and mares. Gaga A ran fifth in the Astra and then validated the form of the race by finishing second in the San Marcos.

◗ Havanna Belle, a 4-year-old, has won three of 14. D’Amato believes he found the key to the improving filly. “My filly acts like she’ll run all day; she’s just a stayer,” he said.

Big John B, by Hard Spun

Last 3 Beyers: 96-81-99

◗ A multiple graded stakes winner and arguably the class of the field, the 14-for-38 Big John B could be compromised by a wet turf course.

“He does definitely like it firm,” D’Amato said. “We’ll see how much rain we get. It calls for a quarter of an inch on Friday. He should be okay.” Rafael Bejarano rides.

Going Somewhere, Sulamani

Last 3 Beyers: 85-96-99

◗ His two starts last year at Santa Anita were good – third in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham and second in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano. Drysdale believes he had an alibi for his recent subpar comeback in a nighttime program at Sam Houston.

“He didn’t like the lights; he had a little bit of a hissy fit,” Drysdale said. “He likes this course.” Mike Smith rides.

Energia Fribby, by Agnes Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 87-84-81

◗ She finished second to Havanna Belle in the Astra at 1 1/4 miles. “That was a mile and a quarter; the mile and a half is going to help her,” Drysdale said. Drayden Van Dyke rides.

Power Foot, by Powerscourt

Last 3 Beyers: 90-98-78

◗ Improvement is expected after a seventh-place finish in the San Marcos. “He kind of got shuffled back to the back,” Drysdale said. “He should run well.” Gary Stevens rides Power Foot for the first time.