Express Train might have his hands full with Stilleto Boy in Californian

ARCADIA, Calif. – Given that the California handicap division is virtually unchanged since the Santa Anita season began in December, one might expect the Grade 2 Californian Stakes on Saturday to offer more of the same.

Express Train, whose three-race win streak includes the recent Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, resumes his campaign against a rejuvenated Stilleto Boy and likely pacesetter Shaaz in the five-runner Californian on a 12-race Saturday card.

Or maybe the Californian is not as clear-cut as it appears, even if Express Train is in a groove.

“Well, his last three races have been pretty groovy,” trainer John Shirreffs said. He is right.

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Express Train’s winter win streak includes a pair of Grade 2s and the Big Cap, but he is not invincible Saturday. Stilleto Boy has worked exceptionally well since a flat third in the Big Cap, and front-runner Shaaz could be loose on the lead. Spielberg and Holden the Lute also entered the Californian.

Saturday’s 12-race marathon includes four graded stakes. The Grade 3 Kona Gold, race 4, includes the streaking Brickyard Ride. Winner of three California-bred stakes this meet and the lone speed in the 6 1/2-furlong Kona Gold, Brickyard Ride is likely to start as one of the day’s lowest-odds favorites.

The Grade 2 Santa Margarita, race 10, attracted a modest field of fillies and mares. Miss Bigly and Park Avenue are the principals in the 1 1/8-mile dirt race. The Grade 2 Charles Whittingham, race 11 at 1 1/4 miles on turf, includes front-runner Beyond Brilliant and Majestic Eagle.

In the 1 1/8-mile Californian, race 6, Express Train will try to solidify his status as the circuit’s top older horse. His ranking will be challenged later this year by the likes of Country Grammer, Hot Rod Charlie, and Royal Ship, but for now Express Train is the man. He also refuses to get beat.

“He’s got so much heart,” Shirreffs said, referring to Express Train’s nose victory Dec. 26 in the San Antonio and his head victory last out in the Big Cap. Victor Espinoza rides Express Train, a 5-year-old who has won seven races and $1,325,800 from 17 starts, all for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable.

Shaaz, who has won all three of his starts (one via disqualification), is expected to set the pace under Mike Smith. Sean McCarthy is the listed trainer for the 4-year-old, who was trained in his first three starts by Bob Baffert. Shaaz moves up in class following a second-level allowance win at one mile. Spielberg, fourth for Baffert in the Big Cap, also entered the Californian for McCarthy.

Holden the Lute, claimed for $50,000 from a win early this month, was entered in the Californian by new trainer John Sadler primarily due to the small field. Holden the Lute is racing in a graded stakes for the first time.

Stilleto Boy, who enters the Californian as a potential overlay, is a better horse than his most recent start suggests. Trained by Ed Moger and owned by his brother Steve Moger, Stilleto Boy finished third in the Big Cap, nine lengths back. Prior to the Big Cap, Stilleto Boy finished third behind Life Is Good and Knicks Go in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park.

“The Big Cap wasn’t really his best race,” Ed Moger acknowledged. “I think he probably was a little bit tired from Pegasus. He really didn’t run.”

But since the Big Cap in early March, Stilleto Boy has come around. His workout one week ago under jockey Juan Hernandez was outstanding. He ran past two rivals in the stretch and earned the bullet designation for the 58.80-second drill.

“He’s doing really good,” Moger said. “He’s got plenty of speed. He never has to be that far out of it.”

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Since he was purchased for $420,000 at auction last summer, Stilleto Boy has earned $661,500 while facing top company. And an upset over Express Train would not be unprecedented. When Stilleto Boy finished second last fall in the Grade 1 Awesome Again, he finished two lengths ahead of Express Train.

Hernandez will ride Stilleto Boy for the first time in a race, having worked him multiple times. Stilleto Boy is expected to be positioned closer to the lead than last out and could get first run on Shaaz.

“It’s not like they have to go fast up front,” Moger said. “He’s just got to be good enough.”