Calidoscopio makes his first appearance since he scored a major upset in last fall's Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. II) when he takes on seven opponents in the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (gr. III) March 23 at Santa Anita Park.
Stud Dona Pancha's 10-year-old Argentina-bred horse will be making his first start for trainer Mike Puype in the 1 1/2-mile Tokyo City. The race is the seventh on Santa Anita's Saturday program with a scheduled 3:35 p.m. PDT post.
The son of Luhuk won the BC Marathon at 1 3/4 miles at Santa Anita by 4 1/4 lengths Nov. 2 in a 17-1 upset. Trained at the time by Guillermo "Bebe" Frenkel, Calidoscopio was transferred to Puype for his 2013 campaign in the United States. Calidoscopio, an eight-time graded stakes winner, will carry top weight of 123 pounds while breaking from post 8. Aaron Gryder, who rode the big bay to perfection in the Breeders' Cup, has the return mount.
Calidoscopio became the first horse to win a Breeders' Cup event after having last raced in South America. He earned a 99 Beyer figure in the Marathon and owns a 10-5-8 mark in 40 lifetime starts with earnings of $853,154. He has had six published workouts in preparation for his return.
Another making his comeback in the Tokyo City is Irish-bred Dhaamer, last seen finishing second by a neck to Casino Host in the Del Mar Handicap (gr. II) Aug. 25 on the grass at 11 furlongs. Dhaamer ran second in last year's Tokyo City, missing by a neck to Dynamic Host in his only prior try on dirt.
Trained by Mike Mitchell for owners Edward Brown Jr. and Jay Manoogian, Dhaamer won the Sunset Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on turf July 15 at Betfair Hollywood Park. Rafael Bejarano, who rode the 6-year-old son of Dubai Destination for the first time in last year's Tokyo City, has the mount; they break from the far outside.
Dropping into the Tokyo City from the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) is Richard's Kid , who won at this distance on Polytrack at Del Mar last summer in the Cougar II Handicap (gr. III). Sold privately after that July 27 effort and transferred out of the Bob Baffert barn, the 8-year-old late-running son of Lemon Drop Kid has dropped six in a row since for trainer Doug O'Neill.
Richard's Kid had little impact in the March 2 Big 'Cap, lagging behind the field for a half-mile and finishing sixth, nearly 12 lengths behind the victorious Game On Dude. Tyler Baze retains the ride on Richard's Kid, who has lifetime earnings of more than $2.3 million with 11 wins and 12 placings from 41 starts.
Another ex-Baffert trainee in the field is Zayat Stables' slumping Jaycito, now in the barn of Simon Callaghan. The 5-year-old son of Victory Gallop trailed throughout in his first start for Callaghan in a third-level allowance at one mile on turf Feb. 28.
Baffert is represented by Westrock Stables' Sky Kingdom , coming off a third in a high-priced allowance event at one mile Feb. 22 in his second start off nearly a one-year absence. The Empire Maker colt, in search of his first stakes win, should be ready to fire with Martin Garcia aboard.
Allowance performers Dreamcatcher, Batti Man, and Oilisblackgold complete the field.
$100,000 Tokyo City Cup (gr. III, Race 7, 3:35 p.m.), 4 & Up, 1 1/2 Miles
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Dreamcatcher (KY), J Talamo, 118, J W Sadler
2. Sky Kingdom (KY), M Garcia, 118, B Baffert
3. Batti Man (ARG), B Blanc, 118, D L Hendricks
4. Oilisblackgold (KY), E A Maldonado, 118, C Dollase
5. Richard's Kid (MD), T Baze, 120, D F O'Neill
6. Calidoscopio (ARG), A T Gryder, 123, M Puype
7. Jaycito (KY), A Quinonez, 118, S Callaghan
8. Dhaamer (IRE), R Bejarano, 120, M R Mitchell