Stormy Liberal, the 2018 Eclipse Champion Turf Male, made a surprise appearance when entered in the first race at Santa Anita on Friday, February 22. He is using the race as a prep for the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) on the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan Racecourse, and needed a race to stay fit for that event. Stormy Liberal will be the 3-5 favorite in a short five-horse field. While it is small in size, it is a competitive group that will be rolling five furlongs on the turf course.
#3 Stormy Liberal was second in the Joe Hernandez (G3) down the hill on New Year’s Day, but before that he had won four straight, including the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs. That was his second win in that race; he also won the 2017 edition at Del Mar. Last year, Stormy Liberal finished second and just missed the win in the Al Quoz; he had previously lost his February Santa Anita prep for that. Drayden Van Dyke will be up on the $1.9 million earner for trainer Peter Miller.
#1 Cistron (7-2) was fourth in the Hernandez and then came right back to be second in the Clocker’s Corner on January 27. John Sadler trains the son of The Factor, who will be piloted by Tyler Baze. Just three for 22 lifetime, he has been top three on the grass at Santa Anita 12 times.
#2 Tough Sunday (5-1) is a classy seven-year-old making his first start for trainer Phil D’Amato. This guy hasn’t raced since April, when he was second by a neck on the main track here. Before that he won the Sensational Star Stakes, which came off the turf. The only time he ran this distance on the grass, Tough Sunday won after leading every step of the way.
#4 Eddie Haskell (4-1) was third in the Clocker’s Corner, but ran five straight races at five furlongs on the grass before that. Three of those were wins, with two thirds. Joel Rosario has the mount for trainer Mark Glatt. The Square Eddie gelding is five for eight at the distance.
#5 Calculator (15-1) is Stormy Liberal’s stablemate, and last won in the 2018 Clocker’s Corner. An earner of over $680,000, Calculator is a hard-knocking type who would be a surprise here. He has been top three on the grass in seven of 11 tries.
Friday’s post time is 1pm Pacific.
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