With the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap only 12 days away, a star-studded field is rounding into shape, with Horse of the Year Tiznow, Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes runner-up Aptitude and turf star Bienamado all likely to make the starting gate for the 64th running of the 1 1/4-mile event. Also scheduled for Big 'Cap day is the $400,000 Kilroe Mile on the Camino Real turf course for older horses while Santa Anita Derby hopefuls will traverse two turns in the one-mile, $200,000 San Rafael Stakes. Nominations for the Big 'Cap closed Saturday with 27 horses on the list while the Kilroe Mile attracted 23 nominees. San Rafael nominations close Thursday. With more wet weather being forecast for this week, trainers with Big 'Cap hopes are keeping one eye on the sky.Trainer Jay Robbins said that Tiznow is on schedule for the Big 'Cap and will likely breeze once more prior to the big race. "We're planning to work him seven-eighths toward the end of the week, maybe Thursday, Friday or Saturday depending on how much rain we get," said Robbins. Bienamado, who passed Saturday's 1 1/2-mile San Luis Obispo Handicap in favor of the Big 'Cap, has a pair of works scheduled over the next 10 days according to trainer Paco Gonzalez. "So much depends on the weather," said Gonzalez. "If it doesn't rain, then we'd like to work him six or seven furlongs on Wednesday."
Weights for the Santa Anita Handicap and the Kilroe Mile will be assigned Sunday. Probable to the grade I Santa Anita Handicap with jockeys: Tiznow, Chris McCarron; Bienamado, no rider; Wooden Phone, Corey Nakatani; Tribunal, no rider, and Aptitude, Victor Espinoza. Possibles include: Guided Tour, Larry Melancon; Jimmy Z, Laffit Pincay Jr.; Captain Steve, no rider; Beat All, no rider; Moonlight Charger, no rider, and Lethal Instrument, no rider.
