Express Train tries to pair up wins in San Pasqual

ARCADIA, Calif. – Even while developing into a major player in the West Coast handicap division, Express Train has never won consecutive races.

That could change Saturday at Santa Anita, where Express Train is favored in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile race that leads to the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 5.

Express Train, winner of the Grade 2 San Antonio last out and the San Pasqual last year, faces five rivals Saturday while chasing an elusive second straight victory.

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“This race will be interesting in that you want to see a horse repeat their performance,” said John Shirreffs, who trains Express Train for owners Lee and Susan Searing. “This will be a good test for a repeatable performance.”

The $200,000 San Pasqual, race 8, is no walk in the park for Express Train. His rivals include four graded winners.

Law Professor improved after being gelded last summer, and enters off a win in an age-restricted Grade 2. Eight Rings is likely to set the pace. He finished third to Express Train last out. Spielberg enters off a decisive second-level allowance win, while enigmatic Kiss Today Goodbye misfired last out but has run races that put him in the hunt. Entry-level allowance winner American Theorem should be forwardly placed.

Express Train won three Grade 2 races last year during a campaign that could have been even better.

“There were some questionable trips,” Shirreffs said.

That, and the misfortune of being forced to scratch from the Breeders’ Cup Classic after he kicked himself and injured a hock.

Shirreffs planned to change riders for the BC Classic.

“Sometimes a new broom sweeps clean,” he said, and Victor Espinoza rode Express Train for the first time in a race on Dec. 26 in the San Antonio. Express Train responded.

“He got out of the gate well,” Shirreffs said. “He got going [early]. You have to be engaged.”

Express Train won by a nose over Hot Rod Charlie, who was scheduled to run Friday in a Group 2 in Dubai.

Express Train, a 5-year-old who has won five races and $815,800 from 15 starts, breaks from post 2 in the San Pasqual, which is race 8.

His chief rival might be Law Professor, who is a lightly raced 4-year-old. Now 3 for 7 after winning the off-turf Mathis Mile against 3-year-olds of 2021, Law Professor faces older stakes rivals for the first time Saturday. Juan Hernandez rides for trainer Michael McCarthy.

“He’s always shown us he’s had the ability,” McCarthy said. “He matured this year and the castration has certainly sent him the right way.”

Law Professor lost focus and gawked after making the lead in the stretch last out, a quirk he probably cannot afford to make against higher-class competition in the San Pasqual. But he has improved with each start, and is 2 for 2 since returning from a five-month break.