Havana Belle returns in G2 San Luis Rey
Havana Belle faces Big John B in today’s feature race of the day. Big John B, who’s last victory was the G2 Del Mar Handicap back in August of ’15, heads a field of 11 going 1 1/2 miles on turf in the G2 San Luis Rey at Santa Anita.
Prior to winning the Del Mar Handicap he had won two in a row and appeared to be headed in the right direction until he met Found and Golden Horn in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Turf where he finished 10th. Since then he’s managed to finish second to The Pizza Man rallying five wide from the 14 hole in the G2 Hollyword Turf Cup, and most recently finished third to Da Big Hoss in the John B. Connally at Sam Houston in January. He drew post 11 for today’s race and has a steady string of works including two 6 furlong moves within the past two weeks.
Click here to get free past performances for the G2 San Luis Rey as the DRF.com race of the day.
Four runners who last raced in the G2 San Marcos here on February 6 return to face off today. Gaga A, a 7 YO mare bred in Uruguay, was second in the San Marcos for trainer Neil Drysdale and will face open company again today. She’s a five-time winner from thirty-two lifetime starts and earnings of a little more than $300,000. Mario Gutierrez returns in the irons for this her third race off a 6 month layoff. Before the San Marcos she finished fifth as the favorite to Havana Belle and faces her again today.
Havana Belle Looks to make it two in a row
Havana Belle is the lightly raced Irish bred daughter of Teofilo who races in the colors of Michael House for trainer Phil D’Amato. Havana Belle returns off a win in the Astra B, an $80K overnight stakes race. She has three wins from 14 lifetime starts and will face her toughest company to date. Journeyman turf rider Brice Blanc will be back aboard and she has a good shot at 6 to 1.
Selections: 7 – 10 – 11
