United using John Henry Turf as springboard to Breeders' Cup Turf

After three wins to start the season, United’s narrow defeat at Del Mar last month ruined his undefeated record in 2020. United lost by a head to Red King in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap on Aug. 22, costing him a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

United will start favored in Saturday’s Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita, a race that does not offer an automatic berth to the BC Turf. The $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles can still lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Turf for United “as long as he runs well,” trainer Richard Mandella said Thursday.

“We need to see a good race,” he added. “I think he’s doing great.”

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In the Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles, United was favored at 7-10 to win his fourth consecutive race. Ridden by Flavien Prat, United raced on the rail to the turn and closed from fifth with a wide rally. Prat has the mount Saturday.

“He was unlucky to have him tied up inside last time and he came with a nice run,” Mandella said.

Red King rallied into contention with more than three furlongs remaining and took the lead in early stretch.

“The other horse ran a good race,” Mandella said of Red King. “You can’t take it away from him.”

Owned by Larry, Nancy, and Jaime Roth, United sometimes runs near the front and is likely to do so Saturday in a race without a confirmed pacesetter.

United, who was a game second at 51-1 in the 2019 BC Turf at Santa Anita, starts from post 3 in a field of eight in the John Henry. He has a few familiar rivals. Originaire, a fast-closing third in the Del Mar Handicap, and Oscar Dominguez, who beat United in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar last November, have leading credentials.

Originaire has been unlucky not to have won a stakes. Trained by Jeff Mullins, Originaire was checked near the quarter pole of the Del Mar Handicap, a pivotal point in the race, and rallied with interest to finish a half-length behind Red King.

Originaire was third behind United in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita in May after being bumped in the final furlong. He was promoted to second.

Oscar Dominguez is winless in four starts this year. A 7-year-old gelding trained by Richard Baltas, Oscar Dominguez closed from last of 11 in the Del Mar Handicap to finish fifth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths.

Baltas also starts Next Shares, who won the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar last November, but is winless in five starts this year. A closer, Next Shares was fifth in the Tourist Mile on Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs.