Kafwain Shortens Up for Soft San Vicente

(from track report)
Kafwain, who finished second to stablemate Vindication in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) on Oct. 26 at Arlington Park, stands out among a field of six 3-year-olds entered in Santa Anita's $150,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) Saturday at seven furlongs.

The Bob Baffert trainee drew the outside post and will carry high weight of 123 pounds. Victor Espinoza, who has ridden the son of Cherokee Run in each of the colt's eight 2-year-old races, including three victories, again has the mount.

Kafwain was second to Toccet in his most recent race, the Hollwood Futurity (gr. I) at 1 1/16 mile on Dec. 21, but was disqualified to fourth for causing interference in the stretch.

Baffert, asked why Kafwain was going from the longer distance to seven furlongs in the San Vicente, said: "There's nowhere else to run him."

The San Vicente will be the fourth race on the card.

The Thoroughbred Corp. colt faces a field with little experience.

Mr. Technique hasn't raced since finishing fifth, beaten by 9 ½ lengths by Kafwain in the Norfolk Stakes (gr. II) at Oak Tree last Oct. 5.

Despite the layoff of some four months, trainer Jeff Bonde expects a strong showing from the Kentucky-bred son of Smart Strike.

"He bled a little in the race (Norfolk) and he had a shin (problem), so we backed off him a little bit," Bonde said. "He's doing good right now, though."

Two others, Runnin' On Nitro and Southern Image, are regarded as highly promising but are also making their stakes debuts.

$150,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II), 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs
PP. Horse, Jockey, Wgt.
1. Sum Trick, Tyler Baze, 120
2. Runnin' On Nitro, Jorge Chavez, 116
3. Southern Image, Corey Nakatani, 116
4. Mr. Technique, Kent Desormeaux, 116
5. Storm Gulch, Tony Farina, 116
6. Kafwain, Victor Espinoza, 123