San Marcos Stakes 2020: Preview, Field & Odds

Top turf marathoners Oscar Dominguez and United, separated by a neck when last they met, head a field of seven older horses going a mile and one quarter on turf in the Grade II, $200,000 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, February 1.

Claimed seven starts back for $40,000 on Feb. 7, 2019, the Richard Baltas-trained Oscar Dominguez appeared to run the best race of his career when he rallied from off the pace to outrun even money favorite United in Del Mar's Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at a mile and one half on Dec. 1.

Although he lost quite a bit of ground turning for home, Richard Mandella's United appeared to have every chance to overhaul "Oscar" on Dec. 1, but came up a neck short in a thriller.

Others who merit serious San Marcos consideration are trainer Phil D'Amato's Cleopatra's Strike, who comes off a narrow second place finish at a mile and one eighth on turf in the Grade II San Gabriel Stakes Jan. 4 and Campaign, who has been idle since being eased as the 3-5 favorite in the same race.

OSCAR DOMINGUEZ

A 7-year-old Irish-bred gelding, he's flourished in Baltas' care, winning two out of his seven starts since claimed nearly a year ago, including his win at 11-1 in the Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup. He's also managed a second place finish three starts back in the Grade II Del Mar Handicap and another second in the Grade III San Juan Capistrano Stakes four races back on June 23.

Ridden by John Velazquez in the Hollywood Turf Cup Dec. 1, he'll get the services of Joel Rosario on Saturday and if he has the same kind of stretch kick at a mile and a quarter as he had at a mile and one half, he should be very tough to deny in the San Marcos.

Owner: Nancy Messineo and Bruce Sands | Trainer: Richard Baltas

UNITED

A 5-year-old gelding by Giant's Causeway, United's biggest claim to fame thus far is running a huge second, beaten a head by eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Turf at a mile and one half two starts back on Nov. 2. Subsequently a fast finishing second, beaten a neck as the even money favorite in Del Mar's Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at the same distance, United will again be handled by Flavien Prat as he tries to turn the tables on Oscar Dominguez.

Third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths three starts back in the Grade II John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles on Sept. 28, United was a close second in his only other try at that distance. Although he'd be best served by a fast early pace, United has the ability to sit close to the pace and should be able to adapt to any pace scenario.

Trainer Richard Mandella expects the stretch-running chestnut to continue to show good form in Saturday's Grade II San Marcos Stakes at a mile and a quarter on grass even though he's "shortening up" from two straight mile and a half marathons.

"He's doing very well and he's run well all year," the Hall of Fame trainer said. "He'll need to be a little sharper going a mile and a quarter instead of a mile and a half, but I think he is."

Owner: LNJ Foxwoods | Trainer: Richard Mandella

CLEOPATRA'S STRIKE

A winner of the Grade II John Henry Turf Championship three starts back here on Sept. 28, this 7-year-old Smart Strike gelding has also been second three times in his last five starts with D'Amato, dating back to Jan. 5, 2019.

Most recently, beaten a neck going a mile and one eighth on turf in the Grade II San Gabriel Stakes Jan. 4, trainer Phil D'Amato's Cleopatra's Strike rates a huge chance in Saturday's Grade II San Marcos Stakes at 1 ¼ miles on turf.

"He's found his top form," said D'Amato on Thursday. "I like the distance. He's one for two at a mile and a quarter and his win came here in a Grade II (John Henry Turf Classic, three starts back on Sept. 28), so we feel good about his chances. Abel (Cedillo) rode him last time and he won on him in the John Henry. He works him every time and he knows him well. This horse is very tactical, so we're ready to go."

Cleopatra's Strike, who was originally based in Toronto, will be making his fifth start for D'Amato on Saturday. With an overall mark of 27-4-10-2, he has earnings of $428,844.

Owner: Slam Dunk Racing and Michael Nentwig | Trainer: Philip D'Amato

CAMPAIGN Scratched

A two-time graded stakes winner at marathon distances on dirt, this 5-year-old full horse by Curlin broke his maiden in his third career start going a mile and one half on turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 1, 2018 and came back seven days later to win a 1 5/16 mile turf allowance there, with both wins coming from far off the early pace.

With eight works to his credit since eased as the 3-5 favorite in the Grade II (dirt) Marathon Stakes on Nov. 1, Campaign's connections are confident a return to turf will be to his liking on Saturday.

Owner: Woodford Racing, LLC | Trainer: John Sadler