There Goes Harvard tries to end long drought
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Nearly 32 months have passed since There Goes Harvard last won, in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles on dirt at Santa Anita.
Two lengthy layoffs, including one caused by illness, has limited the 7-year-old to eight losses since that race in the spring of 2022.
Last year, There Goes Harvard was winless in five starts, with his brightest performance a second-place finish by a length in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita in October.
For his first start of 2025, There Goes Harvard is back on the Santa Anita turf for Saturday’s Grade 3 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf.
“I hope he makes some noise,” trainer Michael McCarthy said on Friday.
The $100,000 San Marcos Stakes will be the first start for There Goes Harvard since he finished 10th by 6 1/4 lengths at 66-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2. There Goes Harvard was third with a furlong remaining but could not hold that position in top-class field.
“A mile and a half might be a bit far against those horses,” McCarthy said. “I think a mile and a quarter will not be an issue.
“He had a nice little break after the Breeders’ Cup. He looks as well as a horse can look.”
There Goes Harvard races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber, who acquired the horse last August in the days before the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar. There Goes Harvard was supplemented to the Pacific Classic for $10,000 and finished fifth, beaten 5 1/2 lengths.
The San Marcos drew a field of eight and is led by Truly Quality, the winner of three consecutive distance stakes in the final months of 2024 at Colonial Downs, Woodbine, and Del Mar.
McCarthy also runs Lord Bullingdon, twice a stakes winner at a mile on turf as a 2-year-old in 2023. Lord Bullingdon was fourth of seven in the Grade 2 Mathis Mile on turf against 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 and will start at 1 1/4 miles for the first time in the San Marcos.
The San Marcos will also be Lord Bullingdon’s first start as a gelding. Last spring, Lord Bullingdon was fourth and 13th in graded stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Keeneland and Churchill Downs.
“I’m anxious to try him at added furlongs,” McCarthy said.
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