Amazombie takes on The Factor in San Carlos

"We ain't seen the best of him," declared jockey Mike Smith, aboard for 12 of

Amazombie's last 13 starts. "I know he's getting older, but man, he's just

getting right. I mean in November (for the Breeders' Cup), Bill had him really,

really good. But from the looks of things, and you don't know it until they run,

he seems to have gotten even better."

Coming off some down time ought not to be a concern as the bay gelding has

been victorious on each of the past four occasions when returning from a layoff.

Amazombie will begin his quest to become just the second two-time sprint Eclipse

champion when breaking from post position No. 2 on Saturday.

Mensa Heat, a California-bred son of Unusual Heat who was claimed for $25,000

last April, came within three-quarters-of-a-length of Amazombie when rallying

for third in the Ancient Title. Trained by Ted H. West, the 6-year-old gelding

has won five of nine starts, including a pair of ungraded stakes, since being

claimed, and will try to upset the two likely favorites off a third in the

wet-fast Palos Verdes. Joe Talamo will handle Mensa Heat.

Another looking to turn the tables is Rothko, who ran second to The Factor in

the Malibu, his first stakes endeavor. The four-year-old homebred son of Arch

had a three-race winning streak snapped in the Malibu, and trainer Steve

Asmussen has jockey Joel Rosario to be in the saddle for the first time on

Saturday.

Sway Away also ran second to The Factor, but that came in last February's

Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes. The Afleet Alex four-year-old hasn't been seen in

competition since taking an allowance on June 19 at Hollywood Park. Rafael

Bejarano has the call for trainer Jeff Bonde.

Canonize, a six-year-old gelded son of Aldebaran, owns a 3-1-0 record from

four starts at Santa Anita, but will face his toughest task to date against this

bunch.

Earlier on Saturday's card, Mizdirection returns in the supporting feature,

the $70,000

Clockers' Corner Handicap for older fillies and mares going 6 1/2 furlongs

over the hillside turf course. An impressive 1 3/4-length winner of the Grade 3

Monrovia Stakes on January 2, the four-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast looms a

solid choice as the 122-pound highweight in the field of five for trainer Mike

Puype.