With overnight rain causing Santa Anita’s main track to be sealed, Eclipse Award sprint champion Amazombie was scratched on the morning of Jan. 21 from the Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. II).
He could make his 2012 debut in one of two upcoming Santa Anita races.
“The Sensational Star and the San Carlos (gr. II) are our two options,” said Darryl Rader, assistant to trainer Bill Spawr, who is also co-owner of Amazombie.
The $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for California breds is scheduled to be run at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf Jan. 28. Should Spawr opt for the Sensational Star, he will in all likelihood meet recent Daytona Stakes (gr. IIIT) winner Caracortado.
The $200,000 San Carlos Stakes will be run on the main track at seven furlongs Feb. 25.
Amazombie has not raced since winning the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs. He was named the nation's outstanding sprinter at the annual Eclipse Awards dinner Jan. 16.
A 6-year-old California-bred gelding by Northern Afleet , Amazombie was second by a half-length as the 13-10 favorite in last year’s Sensational Star. He has raced on turf 12 times, winning four, with three seconds, and two thirds.