Express Train works for San Diego Handicap repeat attempt

Considering his success earlier this year, it is easy to forget that Express Train won the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar last July. He is scheduled to run back in the San Diego Handicap on July 30.

Express Train won three stakes and was third in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup in an eight-race campaign in 2021. This year, the 5-year-old Express Train has made three starts, all at Santa Anita, winning the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes in February and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March before a second in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes in April.

:: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now!

Trainer John Shirreffs held Express Train out of the Hollywood Gold Cup on May 30 in favor of the $300,000 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.

On Sunday at Santa Anita, Express Train worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 under jockey Victor Espinoza, who has been aboard the horse for his last four starts.

“I like Victor working him,” Shirreffs said. “He’s got a great rapport with the horse. He knows when he’s doing well or tailing off.”

Owned by Lee and Susan Searing, Express Train has won 7 of 18 starts and earned $1,365,800.

Express Train will get a stern test in the San Diego, a prep to the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Sept. 3 at Del Mar. Express Train is expected to face Country Grammer, who not raced since winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 26 for trainer Bob Baffert.

“We’re trying to make the San Diego,” Baffert said Sunday.

There Goes Harvard, Defunded, and Stilleto Boy, who were first, second, and fourth in the Hollywood Gold Cup, are other possible runners in the San Diego, along with Senor Buscador, an allowance race winner July 3 at Lone Star Park, and Tripoli, who won the 2021 Pacific Classic.