Patrioticandproud may get shot at Santa Anita Handicap

Patrioticandproud, a stakes winner at Woodbine who was seventh in the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes on Feb. 7, is a candidate for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7, trainer Mark Casse said.

Patrioticandproud, a 6-year-old gelding, was third in the Las Vegas Marathon on dirt here last October and later second in two turf stakes – the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar on Nov. 27 and the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes here Jan. 3.

“He’s trained extremely well on the dirt,” Casse said. “We know the distance will not be an issue. We’re thinking about it.”

Patrioticandproud races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber. He won the Toronto Cup at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Woodbine in 2012.

The Big Cap field is led by Shared Belief, the winner of the $590,000 San Antonio Stakes on March 7.

Casse said that Lexie Lou, the winner of the Queen’s Plate Stakes at Woodbine last year, is close to a workout after being rested for a minor foot problem. Lexie Lou was second in the La Canada Stakes on Jan. 17 in her most recent start.

Casse said he does not have a race in mind for Lexie Lou, a winner of 7 of 17 starts and $1,469,714.