Newgrange, after San Pasqual triumph, targets Dubai World Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. - The Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday was designed as a prep for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 2. Instead, it will have greater ramifications for the Dubai World Cup program in the United Arab Emirates on March 30.

Race winner Newgrange, who has won two stakes this winter at Santa Anita for trainer Phil D'Amato, is scheduled to make his next start in the $12 million Dubai World Cup, while third-place finisher Mixto will be considered for a race on the same program.

Plans for Newgate, who finished second for trainer Bob Baffert as the 8-5 favorite, were unclear as of Sunday, but the Baffert-trained Mr Fisk, who finished fifth as the 5-2 third choice, is a candidate for the $400,000 Big Cap at 1 1/4 miles, Baffert said.

Newgrange ($6.20) led throughout the $201,000 San Pasqual at 1 1/8 miles, finishing a length in front of Newgate.

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The Dubai World Cup is run at 1 1/4 miles. Newgrange finished seventh of nine in the 2023 Big Cap in his only other start at the distance in his 13-race career. Following that loss, Newgrange did not race again until early October of last year.

The Dubai World Cup will have its typical international field. Derma Sotogake, the Japanese-bred colt who was second to White Abarrio in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November, was favored with British bookmakers as of Sunday.

Newgrange races for the partnership of David Bernsen, Rockingham Ranch and the Little Red Feather Racing partnership. D’Amato has never had a starter in a race in Dubai.

“I’d say the owners would like to take a great swing over there,” D’Amato said.

From D’Amato’s perspective, Newgrange deserves another chance at the distance.

“It might help him,” D’Amato said. “He’s got that long stride and tactical speed. The longer the better. You can get in a better comfort zone.”

Mr Fisk had his 4-year-old debut in the San Pasqual, having won his final two starts of 2023 - a dead-heat win with stablemate Tahoe Sunrise in the Shared Belief Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile at Del Mar in September, and a win in the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at the same venue on Nov. 26. Newgrange was third in the Native Diver.

In the San Pasqual, Mr Fisk was fifth or sixth throughout and was beaten 11 1/2 lengths.

“He didn’t run his A game,” Baffert said. “He’ll definitely run in the Big Cap.”

Baffert said he has no immediate race plans for Newgate.

“I want to see how he comes of it,” Baffert said. “A lot could change. I want to wait a couple of weeks.”

Mixto was second to Newgrange in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 26 in his first start since a win in a maiden race at a mile at Del Mar in November.

The Dubai World Cup or the Group 2 Godolphin Mile, a $1 million race, are two options for Mixto on March 30.

“Dubai is a consideration, if invited,” O’Neill said.

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