Kimbear, American Anthem to meet in Laz Barrera Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Kimbear and American Anthem, both well beaten in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8, are expected for Saturday’s Grade 3 Laz Barrera Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.

Neither Kimbear, who was sixth in the Santa Anita Derby, nor American Anthem, who finished 12th, has won a stakes.

Kimbear, trained by Eric Kruljac, had his stakes debut in the Santa Anita Derby. American Anthem, trained by Bob Baffert, was second to Gormley in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes in January and 10th as the 8-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in March.

Gormley won the Santa Anita Derby and was ninth in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs last Saturday.

Other candidates for the $100,000 Barrera are Aristocratic, Bobby Abu Dhabi, Sutton Impact, and Taxman’s Quest.

Aristocratic and Bobby Abu Dhabi finished first and second in the San Pedro Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs here on April 16. Aristocratic was trained at the time by Doug O’Neill but was transferred to Simon Callaghan this week. Kaleem Shah owns Aristocratic, who has won two of his last three starts.