Santa Anita: Dubai You X Y Z to make rare appearance in San Marcos

ARCADIA, Calif. – Starts are precious for Dubai You X Y Z, the 7-year-old gelding who is one of three horses trained at Santa Anita by Mark Tsagalakis.

Dubai You X Y Z has won 6 of 10 starts in a career that began in March 2010. The layoffs have been frequent, but the results have often been outstanding. Dubai You X Y Z won his last start, which came in an optional claimer at Hollywood Park on Dec. 6, leading Tsagalakis to plan for Saturday’s $200,000 San Marcos Stakes.

“He’s not an easy keep,” Tsagalakis said on Wednesday. “He’s been fine. As of right now, he’s happy. When he’s happy, he runs well.”

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The Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes, run over 1 1/4 miles on turf, will be the second stakes appearance for Dubai You X Y Z, who is owned by Tsagalakis, 50. Dubai You X Y Z was sixth in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park in June 2012, and did not start again until last March, finishing second in an optional claimer at Santa Anita. After finishing second in an optional claimer last May, Dubai You X Y Z was sidelined by a stomach ailment and rested until the December race.

After the Dec. 6 win, Tsagalakis considered running the horse in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on turf on Jan. 4, but opted for the San Marcos. The San Marcos will be the longest race in the career of Dubai You X Y Z, who races as a stalker.

“The way he runs, I think he’ll be fine with it,” Tsagalakis said. “The timing of this seemed a little better. It’s fun to be in this situation.”

The San Marcos is expected to have a large field. Among those possible are Artic North, Bio Pro, Dreamy Kid, Jeramino, Lucayan, Mr T Bird, Power Foot, Segway, Si Sage, Slim Shadey, Temeraine, Utopian, Vagabond Shoes, and Would You.