Shirreffs expecting Midcourt to rise to Big Cap challenge

ARCADIA, Calif. – Midcourt ran so well from the front to win Saturday’s Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita that trainer John Shirreffs is already expecting another peak performance in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 7.

The $600,000 Big Cap is run at 1 1/4 miles, a new distance for Midcourt.

“No reason to worry,” Shirreffs said Sunday morning.

Midcourt, who was ridden by Victor Espinoza, took the lead at the start of the $202,000 San Pasqual and was never challenged, holding an advantage of 2 1/2 lengths on the backstretch. Midcourt won by 3 1/2 lengths over 22-1 Two Thirty Five, finishing in 1:48.49. Midcourt earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 102.

“He had his ears pricked and he was cruising out there,” Shirreffs said.

Owned by Lee and Susan Searing, Midcourt, a 5-year-old gelding by Midnight Lute, has won 5 of 9 starts and earned $342,695. The San Pasqual Stakes was his second stakes win in three starts and fifth win in six starts. The streak was interrupted by a well-beaten third in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 28.

Midcourt won the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar in his graded stakes debut on Nov. 23, leading throughout.

Midcourt figures to be a leading contender in the Big Cap along with Gift Box, who won the San Antonio in his first start since June. Gift Box, trained by John Sadler, won the 2019 Big Cap last April. Sunday, Gift Box worked a half-mile in 49.60 seconds.

Race plans are unclear for Roadster, who finished seventh as the 8-5 favorite in the San Pasqual. Roadster was last of nine on the turn and was beaten 9 1/2 lengths by Midcourt.

“He’s got to be in the race,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “It was disappointing. I’ve got to figure out why he didn’t run well.”