San Marcos perfect fit for Itsinthepost
ARCADIA, Calif. – Itsinthepost is best suited for Grade 2 turf stakes.
In the last year, the 6-year-old Itsinthepost has won four such races in California and Kentucky and finished a close second in two other Grade 2 races. His consistent form makes Itsinthepost the favorite for Saturday’s Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita.
“He’s a pretty solid horse,” trainer Jeff Mullins said.
Owned by Jed and Roberta Cohen, Itsinthepost won the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes on turf here on Jan. 8 in his first start since a seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 4. Mullins prefers the 1 1/4-mile distance of the $200,000 San Marcos to the 1 1/8-mile distance of the San Gabriel.
“He’s training as good as he did going into the San Gabriel,” Mullins said. “The farther the better for him, actually.”
Itsinthepost is part of a field of eight in the San Marcos, which includes the last two winners – Flamboyant (2016) and Isotherm (2017). They were second and fifth in the San Gabriel Stakes.
Editore, third in the San Gabriel, and Free Rose, the winner of the Grade 2 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar in 2016, are part of a competitive field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Itsinthepost, by American Post
Last 3 Beyers: 99-100-102
◗ Itsinthepost will be ridden by Tyler Baze, who has been aboard the gelding for 23 of his 26 races since he arrived in the United States from France in early 2015. Baze, who typically puts Itsinthepost in a stalking position, said he has learned the gelding’s quirks.
“He’s the kind of horse that wants to win,” Baze said. “I expect him to show up like he always does.
“There are things about him that I had to figure out. He doesn’t want you to shake the reins at him. You don’t move your hands too much.”
Flamboyant, by Peer Gynt
Last 3 Beyers: 97-94-99
◗ Flamboyant closed from last in a field of 10 to finish 1 1/4 lengths behind Itsinthepost in the San Gabriel. Drayden Van Dyke rode Flamboyant for the first time in the San Gabriel, and is back aboard the 7-year-old gelding on Saturday. Van Dyke believes Flamboyant wants the longer trip.
“It will be perfect,” Van Dyke. “I got to know him when I rode him.”
◗ Flamboyant is winless in 13 starts since taking the 2016 San Marcos, a span that includes second- or third-place finishes in eight graded stakes, including a third in the 2017 San Marcos.
Free Rose, by Munnings
Last 3 Beyers: 92-103-96
◗ Free Rose went seven months between starts after a bout with colic last summer. He was beaten 4 1/2 lengths in the San Gabriel, his first start since a fourth in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile in June.
◗ The San Marcos at 1 1/4 miles will be a new distance for Free Rose.
“He’s never gone that far, but I think he needed his last race,” trainer Richard Baltas said.
“I hope for a good effort. He should be up close.”