United to get stiff challenge from invader in Charles Whittingham Stakes

Given its “locals only” history, the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita offers a welcome rarity.

California-based United retains his role as favorite, but he faces a rare challenge. For only the second time in 15 years, the 1 1/4-mile Whittingham attracted an out-of-state shipper. He might be good enough to upset.

East Coast-based Rockemperor is 0 for 3 in the United States and just 2 for 10 lifetime, but he has flirted with top company and arrives in peak form. Chad Brown trains Rockemperor, a better-than-looked third in his comeback two months ago in a Grade 2 at Fair Grounds.

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Rockemperor ended up in California for the simple reason he had nowhere else to run.

“It’s because of the cancellations all over the place,” Brown said. “He seems well suited to a mile and quarter.”

Rockemperor should relish the distance, and the competition. Aside from United, the Breeders’ Cup Turf runner-up last fall and Grade 2 winner this winter, the Whittingham field is modest. United and Grade 2 winner Desert Stone are the only turf stakes winners.

Originaire blitzed a second-level allowance in his last start, albeit three months ago. Multiplier has lost 16 races since his most recent win two years ago, though he did run second in the Santa Anita Handicap in March. Synthesis and Bold Endeavor are entry-level allowance winners on dirt.

It is not a deep field, which is normal for a California turf stakes that attracts virtually no interest from Midwest and East Coast horses. Since 2005, Divine Oath is the only East Coast shipper to run in the Whittingham. He finished fourth in 2015. The Whittingham was run at Hollywood Park until that track closed in 2013.

But the Whittingham often is a homecoming for California runners returning from out-of-state races. In a way, that is what United is doing. He won here in February, then shipped to Dubai for a $6 million race in March, but the race was canceled.

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United spent two weeks training in Dubai, and trainer Richard Mandella said he returned home in “great shape.” The class of the field and runner-up in the 2019 Whittingham, United is the 6-5 program favorite by track linemaker Jon White. Flavien Prat rides United.

Rockemperor rallied from ninth to third March 21 in his first start in seven months. Considering the race was won by the pacesetter, Rockemperor actually ran well. He smoked his final three furlongs in 34.93 seconds.

Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Rockemperor, who will be the first male horse Brown has started in a winter-spring turf race at Santa Anita.

Jeff Mullins trains Originaire, a romping second-level allowance winner in his most recent start Feb. 29. Is he cranked for first start in nearly three months? Maybe not.

“He’s had steady training, probably not as vigorous as he probably should have because of the simple fact we didn’t know when we were going to be running,” Mullins said.

Umberto Rispoli rides Originaire.

– additional reporting Steve Andersen