Express Train's tactical move leads to San Pasqual triumph

ARCADIA, Calif. - An aggressive move into the first turn took Express Train into second place early in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita. The tactic led to his second consecutive stakes win.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Express Train broke from post 2 and was quickly urged into contention approaching the first turn. At the time, four of the six runners were within a length of the front.

When the field reached the backstretch, Express Train had settled into second, stalking pacesetter Eight Rings. That was the position Espinoza and trainer John Shirreffs had sought for Express Train, even though the 5-year-old reached that point of the race in a manner different than expected.

“There was a lot going on early,” Shirreffs said. “Nobody got to relax.”

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The race settled somewhat on the backstretch. Eight Rings, who set a quick pace of 22.72 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, reached a half-mile in a slower 47.16. Express Train trailed Eight Rings by a length on the turn, and took the lead in the stretch, drawing away to win by 3 1/4 lengths.

Sent off favored, Express Train ($5.20) ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.99 in a prep for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 5. Express Train earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101.

Last year, Express Train won the San Pasqual and was second to Idol in the Santa Anita Handicap after leading in the stretch.

In Saturday’s San Pasqual, the opening furlongs were tactically different than Espinoza had predicted. The last half of the race was closer to his expectations.

“I didn’t want him to run too much too early,” Espinoza said. “He was doing it so easy and was so quick. It was good to get him out of trouble.”

Law Professor, the winner of the Grade 2 Mathis Mile for 3-year-olds on dirt on Dec. 26, was the 4-1 third choice and was part of the group near the front early. Law Professor, who was three-wide on the backstretch while racing in third, moved into second in the stretch, and finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of 2-1 Eight Rings.

Speilberg finished fourth, followed by Kiss Today Goodbye and American Theorem. American Theorem had a difficult trip. He was checked by jockey Mike Smith entering the first turn as part of the hectic early pace and faded through the stretch.

Express Train, by Union Rags, races for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable.

Express Train won the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 26. The San Antonio and San Pasqual marked the first time Express Train had won consecutive races in his 16-race career, which includes six wins and earnings of $935,800.

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