Kanthaka overdue for some luck in Kona Gold

ARCADIA, Calif. – Topsy-turvy conditions at Santa Anita affected the California sprint division this season and altered the complexion of the Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes on Saturday.

Under normal circumstances for a dirt sprint, a turf sprinter such as Cistron would not have much influence, nor would a Sunland Park stakes winner such as All Out Blitz. However, this season is not normal. Both have a shot,

Cistron, possibly lone speed, only entered the main-track Kona Gold because hillside turf racing is suspended. All Out Blitz, a vastly improved local who figures for a perfect trip Saturday, only shipped to Sunland last month because Santa Anita closed for racing most of March.

Through the turmoil, Kanthaka emerged as one of the circuit’s most durable sprinters. Though he has lost all three starts this season, Kanthaka ran well every time. His perseverance may be rewarded Saturday.

:: Add Santa Anita Clocker Reports to your handicapping arsenal

Five older horses entered the 6 1/2-furlong Kona Gold – Kanthaka, Cistron, All Out Blitz, and stablemates Dr. Dorr and Zatter. The $200,000 race is the fifth on a nine-race card.

Cistron is virtually a horse without a home. He is a hillside specialist, but until further notice all hillside sprints are changed to five furlongs on the main turf oval. “The problem with the hill being canceled is he’s not as good at five-eighths,” trainer John Sadler acknowledged.

Assistant trainer Juan Leyva rides Cistron in the morning, and told Sadler, “I think he likes the dirt, still.” A $4,000 supplement, Cistron and jockey Victor Espinoza are expected to set the pace in the Kona Gold. Cistron won a 2017 dirt route stakes at Oaklawn Park by leading wire to wire.

All Out Blitz became a better horse this year at 4. What changed? “He just matured,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “As a younger horse, he was a little bit fractious. He got sort of tense before races. He always had the talent, but he’s just putting it together.”

Based at Santa Anita, All Out Blitz shipped to Sunland for a stakes March 24. “It was during that period of no racing, and it made sense,” Callaghan said.

All Out Blitz won the $100,000 race going away, and could get a cozy trip Saturday positioned second behind the speed.

The horse to beat is Kanthaka, who is due for luck. He finished eighth in the Grade 1 Malibu on Dec. 26 after steadying and losing position on the turn. With a clean trip, he could have finished second to McKinzie.

Kanthaka followed with in-the-money finishes in Grade 2’s – second to Roy H in the Palos Verdes, and third with a wide trip the San Carlos. Kanthaka is a deep closer, but trainer Jerry Hollendorfer believes he is not pace-dependent. Flavien Prat rides.

“If you look at his form, he did lay close a couple times,” Hollendorfer said. “He can lay closer to the pace, or come from off. Prat has to decide how to make his move.”

Kanthaka is the 2-1 second choice on the morning line. Bob Baffert trains 9-5 program favorite Dr. Dorr and Zatter, second and sixth in the San Carlos.