Cowboy Cal, Nownownow meet in Strub

COWBOY CAL (Giant's Causeway) and NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy), last-out winners of

the San Pasqual H. (G2) and San Fernando S. (G2), respectively, highlight a

field of 13 in Saturday's $250,000

Strub S.

(G2) at Santa Anita. The 1 1/8-mile event on Pro-Ride concludes the

three-race Strub series for foals of 2005.

Cowboy Cal established himself early on turf, winning the Laurel Futurity and

Tropical Park Derby (G3), prior to moving to the Polytrack for a neck second in the

Blue Grass S. (G1). After a failed attempt in the Kentucky Derby (G1), the Todd

Pletcher-trained colt switched back to turf and captured the Bryan Station S.

(G3) before finishing a close second in the Hollywood Derby (G1). Cowboy Cal

exits a game score over the Pro-Ride in the January 10 San Pasqual, the second

leg of the Strub series.

Nownownow, winner of the 2007 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, snapped a six-race

losing skein in the January 17 San Fernando, winning impressively by 2 3/4

lengths. The bay colt will make his third start under the direction of Patrick

Biancone in the Strub. Grade 2 hero GIO PONTI (Tale of the Cat) also merits

serious respect. The Christophe Clement charge exits a commanding 1 1/2-length

score on the Pro-Ride in the off-the-turf Sir Beaufort S. (G3) on December 26.

Other contenders include Grade 1 winner DIXIE CHATTER (Dixie Union), fourth

most recently in the Hollywood Derby; Grade 2 turf winner WESLEY (El Prado

[Ire]); Sir Beaufort runner-up MEDJOOL (Monarchos); and multiple stakes victor

SLEW'S TIZNOW (Tiznow).

The $100,000

Thunder Road H. (G3) will also be offered on Saturday's program. Blue Grass

winner MONBA (Maria's Mon), unraced since an unplaced finish in the Kentucky

Derby, will return to the races in the one-mile turf affair for Pletcher.

California

Derby winner YANKEE BRAVO (Yankee Gentleman), last seen recording an

off-the-board effort in the Preakness S. (G1), will also make his first start

back off a lengthy layoff.