Rain keeps Capistrano distance in flux

ARCADIA, Calif. – Although the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes has gradually declined in prestige, the turf marathon has lost none of its novelty appeal.

The meet’s longest race at 1 3/4 miles, the San Juan anchors the closing-day card Sunday at Santa Anita. The race could become longer yet.

The San Juan begins at the top of the hill. Horses cross the dirt track at the top of the stretch, return to turf, and go once around. The dirt crossing is reliable in dry weather, but rain would create a slippery challenge at the crossing. There are three options, pending weather.

“Option 1 is to run as is, down the hill as normal,” racing secretary Rick Hammerle said. “Option 2 would be to run it around the oval at a mile and seven-eighths. Option 3 would be to run at a mile and three-quarters on the dirt.

The second option would make the 2016 San Juan the longest race in track history. The race would begin at the eighth pole of the seven-furlong turf course; the field of 10 runners would negotiate two complete laps.

It would be an entertaining way to end the meet. The $100,000 San Juan is race 8 on an 11-race card which includes the Grade 3 Las Cienegas for filly-mare sprinters, scheduled for turf. As for the San Juan, it has an eclectic field of 10.

The mare Generosidade seeks her second straight after winning a Grade 2 turf marathon; Blingo wheels back one week after finishing third in a Grade 3 dirt marathon; A Red Tie Day is a sharp allowance horse; Quick Casablanca enters in good form.

The other entrants are Cardiac, Energia Fribby, Kenjisstorm, Bourbon Soul, Life’s Journey, and Generoso.

KEY CONTENDERS

Generosidade, by Nedawi

Last 3 Beyers: 97-82-85

◗ She paid $144.80 winning the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes last month; trainer Paulo Lobo is confident she will reproduce her form. “She has some issues, we cannot race her often,” he said. “Now, she’s doing very well.”

◗ Generosidade, age 7, has raced only 17 times. She has won five.

◗ Her San Luis Rey upset was over a course labeled good. The ground could be similar on Sunday.

◗ Tiago Pereira is her rider.

A Red Tie Day, by Indygo Shiner

Last 3 Beyers: 93-76-79

◗ Away from the races from August 2014until February 2016, A Red Tie Day scored a front-running allowance upset last out at 1 1/4 miles in his second start following the layoff.

◗ Richard Baltas is her trainer; Mario Gutierrez is her rider.

“The horse is coming around,” Baltas said. “He’s coming into the race the right way.”

◗ A Red Tie Day has won 3 of 12, but has never raced beyond 1 1/4 miles.

Blingo, by Artie Schiller

Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-94

◗ Trainer John Shirreffs rarely runs horses back in one week, which is what Blingo would be doing after finishing third in the Grade 3 Tokyo City Stakes on April 3. The one-week turnaround was always the plan.

“We thought if he came out of the first race really well, and everything looked good (he would run back),” Shirreffs said.

“Blingo is a very strong horse, an athletic horse. … He’s not a heavy horse. And he gets over the ground easily.”

◗ Alex Solis rides Blingo.

Quick Casablanca, by Until Sundown

Last 3 Beyers: 95-95-84

◗ Ron McAnally trains Quick Casablanca, second in the San Luis Rey and third in the San Marcos.