Gift Box repeats in San Antonio Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – What present do you open three days after Christmas? Gift Box.

Idle for six months, Gift Box was a welcome present on opening day at Santa Anita for trainer John Sadler, jockey Joel Rosario, and owners Kosta and Pete Hronis as he captured the Grade 2, $200,702 San Antonio Stakes for older horses.

It was his second straight win in the race, but the circumstances were far different. Last year, Gift Box was making his first start for his new connections following a private purchase, and was 6-1. This time, following a 2019 campaign that included a victory in the Santa Anita Handicap, expectations were higher. He was 6-5, and proved well worth the short price.

Gift Box ($4.40), fresh off the layoff and a series of a strong drills, broke alertly, took the early lead, and never looked back. He widened on his rivals through the lane and checked in 3 3/4 lengths in front of runner-up King Abner, a 24-1 shot who chased Gift Box the whole way of the 1 1/16-mile race.

Midcourt, the 2-1 second choice, lost his best chance at the start when he broke last in the field of seven. He was wide the whole way and ran on well to be third, 3 3/4 lengths behind King Abner.

Fight On was fourth and was followed, in order, by Gray Magician, Draft Pick, and Mugaritz.

Gift Box was timed in 1:42.73 on a track rated fast.

“He trained with a lot of enthusiasm for this race,” said Sadler, who said he was “ducking and diving with the weather” to get Gift Box ready. “But we were all in the same boat,” he said.

Being as Gift Box broke from post 2 on Saturday, Sadler wanted him forwardly placed – “I didn’t want him sucking back out of there,” he said – and Rosario obliged.

Gift Box is lightly raced. Though the son of Twirling Candy is about to turn age 7, this was only his 18th start. He has won six times, and also was second last year in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita to Vino Rosso, who went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic here.

“Form’s been good to him,” Sadler said.

Sadler and the Hronis brothers also campaign Pacific Classic winner Higher Power, who, like Gift Box, is effective up to 1 1/4 miles. The decision now will be where to spot Gift Box and Higher Power in races like the Pegasus World Cup, Saudi Cup, Dubai World Cup, and Santa Anita Handicap.

“Lot of choices with these handicap horses,” Sadler said. “We’ll look to run him back east or maybe Higher Power back east.”

Good choices to have. This is one present that won’t be returned.