Seven Vie for First Stakes Win in San Vicente

With the unbeaten E Z Warrior sitting out Sunday's $150,000 San Vicente (gr. II), a wide-open field of seven 3-year-olds will contest the seven-furlong Santa Anita Derby (gr. I)  prep at the Arcadia, Calif., track.

Each of the seven sophomores are in search of their first stakes victories. The probable favorite is lightly raced Major Pleasure, a son of Officer trained by Mike Puype for Richard Trontz.

Although he has only started twice, Major Player has the advantage of being a sharp horse. After losing his racing debut by a head following a slow start, Major Pleasure returned to break his maiden in an impressive showing on Jan. 21 at Santa Anita. He won by two lengths while covering seven furlongs in 1:22 2/5. Victor Espinoza rides Major Pleasure.

The most seasoned runner in the field is trainer Mel Stute’s Hurry Up Austin, who was second in the Jan. 7 San Miguel Stakes and shows a record of 1-3-1 in nine starts for earnings of $80,089, best in the lineup. Jon Court rides the Florida-bred colt owned by the partnership of Glaze, Glaze and Stute.

Noble Court finished third behind E Z Warrior and Hurry Up Austin in the San Miguel.

Trainer Bob Baffert pulled E Z Warrior from consideration for the San Vicente earlier in the week because of "minor foot problems."

$150,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II, Race 7, 3:30 p.m.), 3-Year-Olds, 7 Furlongs
PP. Horse, Jockey
1. Half Famous (CA), Agapito Delgadillo
2. Noble Court (KY), Corey S. Nakatani
3. Vaunt (GB), Alex O. Solis
4. Hurry Up Austin (FL), Jon K. Court
5. Law Breaker (FL), Aaron T. Gryder
6. Major Pleasure (KY), 115, Victor Espinoza
7. Spanish Influence (KY), 115, Martin A. Pedroza
Each assigned 115 pounds.