Sharon Fitzpatrick's millionaire Continental Red faces seven other turf marathoners as the 9-year-old gelding seeks to regain his winning form in Saturday's San Luis Obispo Handicap (gr. IIT) at 1 1/2 miles over Santa Anita's grass.
Making his first start for trainer Adam Kitchingman, who takes over from Ian Jory, Continental Red has won seven of 66 career starts, with 28 placings, while earning $1,238,358. In last year's San Luis Obispo, the gelding finished third, beaten only a neck.
Among the other contenders is Brazilian import License to Run, who was a multiple group winner in his native country before being imported to the U. S. Now trained by Bobby Frankel, License to Run finished third in the Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IT) in his U. S. debut and was subsequently fifth as t he favorite in the San Marcos (gr. IIT).
The field for the San Luis Obispo Handicap:
1 -- Gorylla, 113, Jon Court
2 -- Special Matter, 114, Tyler Baze
3 -- Continental Red, 116 Gary Stevens
4 -- License To Run, 115, Patrick Valenzuela
5 -- Californian, 109, Modesto Linares
6 -- Balustrade, 113, Victor Espinoza
7 -- T. H. Approval, 113, Rene Douglas
8 -- Sigfreto, 111, Omar Figueroa
