Furthest Land simply super on synthetic

ARCADIA, Calif. - The schedule is set for Furthest Land over the next three months, starting with Saturday's $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap at Santa Anita.

Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker have the Dubai World Cup on March 27 as a long-term goal for Furthest Land, the upset winner of the here in November. A key to that preparation is staying on a synthetic track this winter.

Furthest Land's success over Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface back in November has made the gelding the 121-pound highweight in the Grade 2 San Pasqual and likely the betting favorite.

Maker says Furthest Land's training in recent weeks at Gulfstream Park has given him every reason to expect a big race.

"He's been super," Maker said. "He got over that track well in the Breeders' Cup and we don't have any concern."

Unbeaten in three starts on three different synthetic tracks, Furthest Land will be ridden by Garrett Gomez, who was aboard for the win in the last September.

Furthest Land, a three-time stakes winner, drew the outside post in a field of seven that includes four stakes winners. Maker would like to see Furthest Land race just off the pace.

"I like the draw," he said. "We can be close to it or come from out of it. He's a pretty easy horse to handle."

Goldsville, who will be a longshot, may set the pace in a race void of a front-runner. Goldsville was fourth in an allowance race over 6 1/2 furlongs here on Dec. 27.

Two stalkers that could race near the front are Spurrier, an allowance race winner at Hollywood Park in November, and Bold Chieftain, an 11-time stakes winner in California, including the 2009 California Cup Classic.

Other contenders in the 1 1/16-mile race include Cherokee Artist, who won the at Hollywood Park last month.

Neko Bay, 7, is seeking his first stakes win in his 13th start.

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