Bobby Frankel-trained King's Drama, winner of the Sword Dancer (gr. IT) at 1 ½ miles on turf at Saratoga last August, will carry high weight of 122 pounds in Saturday's San Luis Rey Handicap (gr. IIT), also at 1 1/2 miles over the Santa Anita turf.
A 6-year-old Irish-bred son of King's Theatre, King's Drama is coupled in the wagering with Irish-bred Atlando, as both are owned by Gary Tanaka. Both horses ran as an entry in the San Luis Obispo (gr. IIT), with Darrel Vienna-trained Atlando sweeping by his entry mate King's Drama in mid-stretch and then holding off T.H. Approval to win in stakes record-tying time for the race, also at the same distance and over the same Santa Anita grass course.
Atlando, a 5-year-old Hernando gelding, had never tried 12 furlongs in 15 previous starts, mostly in France. But he looked bred for it with his impressive response when urged on by Pedroza.
The field for the San Luis Rey:
1--King's Drama, Pat Valenzuela, 121
2--Bullistic, Kerwin John, 113
3--Eastern Sand, Aaron Gryder, 117
4--Totally Platinum, Juan Ochoa, 112
5--Balustrade, Alex Bisono, 109
6--Wild Buddy, Michael Baze, 113
7--One Off, Kent Desormeaux, 112
8--Golden Rahy, Tyler Baze, 116
9--Atlando, Jose Valdivia Jr., 117
10--T.H. Approval, Alex Solis, 116.
King's Drama and Atlando race as an entry in the mutuel wagering for owner Gary Tanaka
