Kobe's Back likely to run in Kona Gold

ARCADIA, Calif. – There are stakes options from coast to coast this Saturday for the five-time stakes winner Kobe’s Back.

As of Sunday, owners Lee and Susan Searing were leaning toward staying at Santa Anita for the Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs instead of shipping to Pimlico for the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Stakes at six furlongs.

The Kona Gold has a purse of $200,000; the Maryland Sprint is worth $150,000.

Kobe’s Back has won 5 of 21 starts and earned $1,044,250 but is winless in three starts since taking the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes here in March 2016.

A 6-year-old, Kobe’s Back was fifth in the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs March 11, his only start this year. Kobe’s Back broke slowly and raced in traffic before finishing 8 1/4 lengths behind Denman’s Call.

Trainer Peter Eurton expects a much brighter performance this weekend.

“I don’t think I had him tight enough,” he said. “I think he strained something in the race. He’s training forward now.”

Eurton on Sunday assessed the candidates for the Kona Gold, which included expected pacesetter Lord Simba, who won the Grade 3 Los Angeles Stakes in his stakes debut April 15; Moe Candy, who was second in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes in February; and Ransom the Moon, who won an optional claimer in his California debut April 30.

“There should be plenty of speed in there,” Eurton said.

Kobe’s Back needs a quick pace to aid his closing kick.

The Kona Gold Stakes is the lone graded stakes at Santa Anita this weekend. Saturday’s program includes the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers. Sunday’s main race is the $125,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes at a mile on turf for California-bred fillies and mares.