Santa Anita Handicap attracting diverse field

ARCADIA, Calif. - From an allowance race winner on Friday to a two-time graded stakes winner in recent months, a diverse field is forming for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on March 5.

Express Train, the winner of the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 and the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes on Feb. 5, is the leading local contender. Soy Tapatio, who won his debut against winners in an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on Friday, may join the field, trainer Doug O’Neill said Sunday.

Soy Tapatio was third in a maiden race for sprinters at six furlongs on Dec. 26 prior to a win in a maiden special weight race at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 8.

“It’s intriguing,” O’Neill said of the Big Cap. “He won very impressively and that’s his third solid race in a row.

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“The timing could come up very well for him.”

O’Neill’s leading older horse is Hot Rod Charlie, who would be favored in the Big Cap, but is on the other side of the world, in the United Arab Emirates, being prepared for the Dubai World Cup on March 26.

The $650,000 Big Cap is Santa Anita’s richest race for older horses.

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Other possible starters are Stilleto Boy, who was third in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 29; Law Professor, Spielberg and American Theorem, who were second, fourth and sixth in the San Pasqual; and Warrant, a two-time stakes winner in 2021 who was a well-beaten third in the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds on Jan. 22 for trainer Brad Cox.

Law Professor has the option of the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf on March 5, trainer Michael McCarthy said.

American Theorem will also be strongly considered for the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs on March 5, trainer George Papaprodromou said. The absence of the undefeated star 4-year-old Flightline from the San Carlos will be a factor in the decision, Papaprodromou said.

The Big Cap, Kilroe, and San Carlos are three of six graded stakes on the March 5 program.