Den's Legacy will stretch out for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in pursuit of his first stakes victory in the $100,000 Generous (gr. IIIT) on the turf at Betfair Hollywood Park Nov. 24.
The Generous, for 2-year-olds at one mile, shares the spotlight with the $100,000 Miesque Stakes (gr. IIIT) for juvenile fillies on the second day of Hollywood's annual Turf Festival. The Generous, which attracted a field of 10, goes as the fifth race on the Saturday card with a 2:32 p.m. PST post time.
Westrock Stables' Den's Legacy has posted back-to-back runner-up finishes in stakes at Santa Anita Park since Baffert switched the Florida-bred Medaglia d'Oro colt out of the unraced War Chant mare Sunshine Song to the turf last month.
In the one-mile Zuma Beach Oct. 8, the bay stalked the pace under Garrett Gomez before getting the lead in the stretch. But he was caught late by Gervinho, losing by half a length. Den's Legacy returned Nov. 3 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Preview Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside and closed from far back to wind up 3 1/2 lengths behind the victorious Gabriel Charles.
Den's Legacy has a win and four seconds from six starts this season. He drew post 3 and will be ridden once again by Gomez. Baffert previously won the Generous in 2001 with Mountain Rage.
Trainer John Sadler, who won the Generous last year with Stoney Fleece, will have a pair of shots this time in Rising Legend and Under Review. Both are making their initial starts for Sadler after they were purchased privately.
With a win Sadler could match Jerry Fanning, who won consecutive renewals of the Generous with Artichoke and Overtrum in 1983-84.
A son of Rock of Gibraltar and the Miswaki mare Miswaki Belle, Rising Legend enters off back-to-back turf victories in England, the most recent Sept. 15 at Doncaster at the Generous distance. Owned by Hronis Racing, the British-bred chestnut was 2-2-2 from six races in England.
Under Review is owned by a partnership that includes Lloyd DeBruycker and Tim Mickelson, the younger brother of PGA star Phil Mickelson. The gray/roan son of Even the Score began his career for former owner Scott Ricker and trainer Wayne Catalano.
After defeating $50,000 maidens by a head going 5 1/2 furlongs over Polytrack at Arlington Park Aug. 26, Under Review was stretched to a mile on turf. He finished second, beaten by a half-length in an allowance/optional claiming race.
Shining Copper, whose lone win came at the Generous distance on the Del Mar grass Aug. 15, will be making his first appearance since finishing fifth in the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf three weeks after his maiden victory.
A gelded son of Aragorn out of the Winged Victory mare La Minuta, Shining Copper has started three times for Sumaya U.S. Stables and Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale, who won the Generous in 1999 with Jokerman.
West Point Thoroughbreds' Tree of Life returns to California after suffering his first defeat when 10th of 13 when hung wide in the Breeders’ Futurity (gr. I) Oct. 6 at Keeneland. Trained by Craig Dollase, Tree of Life will be making his grass debut Saturday while wearing blinkers for the first time.
Counting Days will debut for Swift Thoroughbreds and trainer Carla Gaines after being purchased privately following a lengthy win versus $50,000 maidens over the Keeneland Polytrack Oct. 20.
Christopher Street surprised maidens at 12-1 in his second start for trainer Marty Jones Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.
One Firm Cat, Rising Legend, Den's Legacy, and Shining Copper will race without Lasix.
$100,000 Generous Stakes (gr. IIIT, Race 5, 2:32 p.m.), 2YOs, 1 Mile (Turf)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. One Firm Cat (FL), K Krigger, 116, P Miller
2. Under Review (KY), R Bejarano, 114, J W Sadler
3. Rising Legend (GB), J R Leparoux, 118, J W Sadler
4. Den's Legacy (FL), G K Gomez, 116, B Baffert
5. Dancin Upside Down (KY), E A Maldonado, 114, C O'Callaghan
6. Tree of Life (KY), A T Gryder, 118, C Dollase
7. Ekahi (KY), S Arias, 114, M S Han
8. Christopher Street (CA), M E Smith, 116, M F Jones
9. Shining Copper (KY), D R Flores, 116, N D Drysdale
10. Counting Days (KY), V Espinoza, 114, C Gaines
Blinkers On: Tree of Life
Den's Legacy (right) finished second in the Zuma Beach Oct. 8.
Benoit Photography