Santa Anita Handicap runner-up Setsuko may target Charles Town Classic

Setsuko, second by a nose in a roughly-run Santa Anita Handicap last Saturday, has emerged from the race without injury and is being considered for the $1 million Charles Town Classic in West Virginia on April 16, trainer Richard Mandella said.

There was concern after the Big Cap about Setsuko’s left foreleg, which showed swelling. Mandella said the 4-year-old Setsuko suffered a cut that responded well to antibiotic treatments.

“We were afraid he might have cracked a splint bone,” Mandella said.

Setsuko is scheduled to return to racetrack training on Friday. In the Big Cap, Setsuko was part of a bumping incident in early stretch with eventual winner Game On Dude and 1-2 favorite Twirling Candy. After a 12-minute inquiry, the stewards did not change the order of finish.