United trying to break through in San Marcos

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bricks and Mortar found himself in a tussle with an unexpected rival in the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita in November. In a talented field of 12, United, the 51-1 longest shot in the field, led in the stretch and challenged Bricks and Mortar to the wire before finishing second by a head.

With Bricks and Mortar retired to stud, United can take a leading role in the turf marathon division this year. It won’t be long before owners Larry, Nancy, and Jaime Roth and trainer Richard Mandella know where United stands.

United will start as the favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita, a prep for an expected appearance in the $6 million Sheema Classic at 1 1/2 miles on turf in Dubai on March 28.

A 5-year-old gelding, United tries to win his first stakes in the San Marcos, his 12th start. United followed his narrow loss in the BC Turf with a second to Oscar Dominguez as the even-money favorite in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar on Dec. 1.

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United closed from last of 10 with a wide rally to miss by a neck. Mandella said jockey Flavien Prat urged United into contention too late.

“We needed to get him in the race a little earlier,” Mandella said. “He has a big, lumbering stride.”

If United has a vulnerability in the $200,000 San Marcos, it could be the distance. United appears to be better at 1 1/2 miles. In his last appearance at 1 1/4 miles on turf, United was third by 1 3/4 lengths to Cleopatra’s Strike in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship here in September.

“He seems particularly sharp now,” Mandella said. “We’ll need that backing up to a mile and a quarter. I want him to run his race and I think he will.”

Cleopatra’s Strike and Oscar Dominguez are part of a field of seven in the San Marcos Stakes, and have the credentials to win. The field includes the graded or group stakes winners Brown Storm and Campaign; Multiplier, who is graded stakes-placed; and Chosen Vessel, who was fourth in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes here on Jan. 5.

Oscar Dominguez was claimed for $40,000 last February and has since earned $287,840. The Hollywood Turf Cup was his first stakes win in his 37th start.

Cleopatra’s Strike was a fast-closing second in the San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“He’s a real tactical horse,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I think anywhere between a mile and an eighth to a mile and a quarter is his sweet spot.”

Cleopatra’s Strike was fourth by a length in the Hollywood Turf Cup, beaten a length by Oscar Dominguez. Saturday’s distance may be an advantage for Cleopatra’s Strike.

“I think we’re as good as they are at 1 1/4 miles,” D’Amato said. “He’s shown an affinity for Santa Anita.”