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Richard's Kid, Mast Track debut for new connections in San Antonio Grade 1 winners RICHARD'S KID (Lemon Drop Kid) and MAST TRACK (Mizzen Mast) will enter a new phase of their respective careers in the $150,000 San Antonio H. (G2), the Super Bowl Sunday feature at Santa Anita. Each has experienced a recent change in ownership, and one is debuting for a new barn in the 1 1/8-mile test on Pro-Ride, which serves as a stepping stone to the March 6 Santa Anita H. (G1). Richard's Kid, last seen finishing sixth in the November 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), has since been sold to Zabeel Racing International, the nom de course of Sheikh Mohammed's son, Sheikh Rashid. His new connections purchased him with an eye toward the March 27 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1). For the time being, Richard's Kid has remained with Bob Baffert, who conditioned him to a career-best victory in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar last summer. Two starts back, Richard's Kid was a closing third in the Goodwood S. (G1) at this track and distance, and he lines up in the San Antonio as the 120-pound highweight. Garrett Gomez picks up the mount on the deep closer, who could find nine furlongs a tad on the short side. Mast Track has a different profile. A confirmed front-runner, he scored his signature victory in the 2008 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) for his late owner/breeder/trainer Bobby Frankel. Following the Hall of Famer's death in mid-November, Mast Track was purchased by Stronach Stables on the eve of his wire-to-wire score in the December 12 Native Diver H. (G3) at Hollywood Park. He was saddled by Frankel's longtime assistant, Humberto Ascanio, that day, but has since been transferred to John Shirreffs. While making his debut for his new trainer Sunday, Mast Track will also team up with jockey Mike Smith for the first time. Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) upsetter FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) looks to rebound off a poor effort in the January 9 San Pasqual H. (G2), where he trailed home last as the 3-5 favorite. Prior to that baffling performance, the Mike Maker charge had been perfect over synthetic surfaces. Julien Leparoux will be back aboard the reformed claimer. NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy), winner of the 2009 San Fernando S. (G2) over DAKOTA PHONE (Zavata), exits a third in the San Pasqual in his return from a lengthy layoff. Joe Talamo rides for conditioner Patrick Biancone, who will also saddle the Grade 2-placed QUASICOBRA (Wild Rush). MARSH SIDE (Gone West) reverts to synthetic, and cuts back in trip, after having spent the last 17 months competing in turf marathons. Fourth as the defending champion in the Canadian International (Can-G1) two starts ago, the Neil Drysdale veteran was most recently a lackluster 17th in the November 29 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1). Joel Rosario has the call. To accommodate Super Bowl XLIV, Santa Anita has scheduled an early first post of 11:00 a.m. (PST) Sunday. The 11 San Antonio entrants are scheduled to break from the gate at 2:07 p.m.
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