With the torrential rains which fell overnight Wednesday and the prospect that Breeders' Cup Classic champion Tiznow might opt to stay in the barn, 11 four-year-olds passed the entry box Thursday morning for Saturday's 49th running of the grade II, $250,000 San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes. The wet weather didn't deter trainer Jay Robbins from entering Tiznow into the 1 1/16-mile main track feature, the second leg of the prestigious Strub Series which culminates with the $500,000 Strub Stakes Feb. 3. And a good showing in the San Fernando could place a horse into the picture for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap March 3.Accompanied by a pony, Tiznow galloped twice around the track Thursday morning. Robbins remained upbeat as he surveyed the heavy clouds overhead and the muddy track underneath. Robbins will consult with jockey Chris McCarron regarding the track condition come Saturday."I'm going to leave it up to Chris," said Robbins. Tiznow drew far outside into post position 11.Trainer Paddy Gallagher entered Walkslikeaduck for his first main track start since June of last year. Walkslikeaduck has earned $365,394 by winning four of nine lifetime starts, three of which were grass course wins. Walkslikeaduck's most recent win came on the turf in the grade III Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Derby Sept. 30. "We'll wait to see what the track looks like (on Saturday)," Gallagher said.Trainer Bob Baffert entered both Wooden Phone and Tribunal but notable by his absence was Captain Steve, who has lost to Tiznow in his last two meetings and is likely heading to Gulfstream Park for a possible start in the Donn Handicap Feb. 3.
The field for the grade II San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes, in post position order with jockeys and weights: Grey Memo, Garrett Gomez, 120 pounds; Nurdlinger, Tyler Baze, 116; David Copperfield, Victor Espinoza, 116; Jekyll And Hyde, Laffit Pincay Jr., 116; Walkslikeaduck, Eddie Delahoussaye, 120; Capo Di Capo, Alex Solis, 116; Remember Sheikh, Gary Stevens, 120; New Advantage, David Flores, 116;Tribunal, Kent Desormeaux, 116 Wooden Phone, Corey Nakatani, 116, and Tiznow, Chris McCarron, 122.
