Treasure Trove under consideration for Santa Anita Handicap

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – There are ample options upcoming for an older dirt male who wants to run a distance of ground. When it comes to his 7-year-old Treasure Trove, trainer Lynn Cash will explore all of them, including the possibility of shipping to California for the Grade 1, $500,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 4.

Cash said the 1 1/4 miles of the Big Cap is appealing to him because he believes Treasure Trove is crying out for more distance. On Thursday at Aqueduct, Treasure Trove won his second straight 1 1/8-mile allowance race, this one by three-quarters of a length over Southern District, also trained by Cash though he was claimed for $80,000 out of the race by trainer Tom Morley. Treasure Trove, in his 49th start, earned a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure.

“Aqueduct plays longer than it actually is because it’s such a deep track,” Cash said. “The horse wasn’t even blowing when he came back.”

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In addition to the distance, what’s also appealing about the Santa Anita Handicap to Cash is the fact Country Grammer and Taiba, considered the top older dirt males based in California, are expected to run in the Saudi Cup on Feb. 25 and would not be in the field for the Big Cap.

“I have a tendency to try and swing for the fences – maybe that’s an Achilles’ heel for me – but now you’re making me lean that way more,” Cash said.

The other options for Treasure Trove include staying home for the $100,000 John Campbell Stakes at Laurel Park on Feb. 18, but Cash said he has two others pointing to that 1 1/16-mile race.

There is also the Grade 3, $600,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn on Feb. 18 at 1 1/16 miles and the Grade 2, $500,000 New Orleans Classic at Fair Grounds on March 25.

Meanwhile, Cash said Pirate Rick, who finished fourth in the Grade 3 Toboggan here last Saturday, will be pointed to the General George at Laurel on Feb. 18. Cash said he also plans to run Sir Alfred James and Eastern Bay in the General George.

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