With a recent race under his belt, Richard Mandella's Bombard perhaps rates a slim advantage over Mark Glatt's comebacking Law Abidin Citizen in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita. For older horses, the Daytona has attracted five older horses who will contest 6 ½ furlongs on turf.
A lightly raced 8-year-old gelding by War Front, Bombard led turning for home, but was collared by a razor sharp Gregorian Chant late when second, beaten a half length in a six furlong turf classified allowance here on April 25.
Owned by Perry Bass, Ramona Bass, Adele Dilschneider and Waddell Hancock II, Bombard, although winless in four starts last year, was nonetheless in top form for Mandella, evidenced by a narrow second place finish, beaten a neck, in a Grade III turf sprint at Kentucky Downs Sept. 12 and subsequent 3 ¼ length defeat in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland two starts back on Nov. 7.
With regular rider Flavien Prat back aboard Saturday, Bombard, who is four for nine over the Santa Anita turf, brings an overall mark of 17-5-6-2 and earnings of $399,771.
A graded stakes winner on both turf and dirt, Law Abidin Citizen has been idle since running a close third to top sprinter C Z Rocket in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 29 and with four wins from nine lifetime starts over the Santa Anita lawn, rates a huge chance with Abel Cedillo back aboard.
A 7-year-old gelding by Twirling Candy, Law Abidin Citizen has tremendous early speed and can be counted upon to press or make the early pace on Saturday. Owned by Dan Agnew, Gerry Schneider and John Xitco, Law Abidin Citizen is 28-7-4-6 overall with earnings of $519,167.
THE GRADE 3 DAYTONA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 5 of 9 Approximate post time 3 p.m. PT
- Majestic Eagle—Mario Gutierrez—122
- Bombard—Flavien Prat—122
- Jamming Eddy—Tyler Baze—120
- Law Abidin Citizen—Abel Cedillo—122
- Commander—Juan Hernandez—120
First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
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