San Pasqual next for Malibu Stakes runner-up Express Train

Express Train, second to the highly regarded Charlatan in the Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26, is likely to have his 4-year-old debut in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Jan. 30.

Trainer John Shirreffs said on Friday that the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes is an immediate goal instead of the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs on Jan. 23.

“That would be the preferred race,” Shirreffs said of the San Pasqual. “He can always come back and sprint later if it doesn’t work out.”

In the seven-furlong Malibu, Express Train closed from last of six to finish 4 3/4 lengths behind Charlatan, a candidate for the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 20.

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Shirreffs is forming plans for three 3-year-olds in his stable – Parnelli and Waspirant, who were well beaten when third and fourth in the Grade 3 Sham Stake at a mile at Santa Anita on Jan. 2, and Red Flag, fourth as the 9-10 favorite in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 19.

Workouts in coming days will determine whether those colts start in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 30 or the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs on Feb. 6.

Red Flag won the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 15, but finished 8 1/2 lengths behind Spielberg in the Los Alamitos Futurity.

“We’re still scratching our heads over that race,” Shirreffs said.