Longshots Imperative, Cool Samurai eye Big Cap

ARCADIA, Calif. – Imperative and Cool Samurai will be longshots in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7, the top race for older horses at Santa Anita this year.

Imperative was sixth in the $590,000 San Antonio Stakes on Feb. 7, finishing 9 1/2 lengths behind race winner Shared Belief, the favorite for the Big Cap. Imperative finished 1 1/2 lengths behind third-place finisher Hoppertunity, another candidate for the Big Cap.

Cool Samurai was second in an optional claimer at a mile Feb. 6, leading trainer John Shirreffs to say on Monday that the Big Cap is a possibility.

Shared Belief will be a heavy favorite in the Big Cap, run at 1 1/4 miles. Other candidates are Bronzo, fourth in the San Antonio, and Catch a Flight, who won an optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 13.