Flashback meets Goldencents in San Felipe

A gray son of Tapit, Flashback won at first asking on December 8, rallying

from just off the pace to score going away by 3 1/2 lengths at seven furlongs,

and entered his sophomore season as a well-regarded prospect for Hall of Fame

trainer Bob Baffert, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner. The colt lived up to

expectations when making his stakes bow in the February 2 Lewis, winning by an

easy 6 1/4-length margin, but it looked more like a paid workout than a true

indication of his ability as Flashback controlled a slow pace from the start.

His mettle figures to get tested Saturday and Flashback will likely revert to

rating tactics with regular rider Julien Leparoux. He will concede three pounds

to his main rival as the 123-pound topweight and breaks from post 2.

Goldcents will start to the immediate outside of Flashback with a returning

Kevin Krigger. Trained by Doug O'Neill, whose I'll Have Another narrowly

defeated the Baffert-trained Bodemeister in both the Kentucky Derby and

Preakness last year, Goldencents will bring a three-for-four mark into the San

Felipe.

Following a scintillating 7 1/4-length debut win at Del Mar, Goldencents

displayed nice class when shipping to Belmont Park for his lone setback, a

runner-up effort behind eventual two-year-old champion Shanghai Bobby in the

Grade 1 Champagne last October. His connections decided to skip the Breeders' Cup

and the bay son of Into Mischief concluded his juvenile season on an excellent

note, posting a convincing 1 3/4-length score in the Delta Jackpot.

Goldencents showed high speed in his first three outings, but he conceded the

early advantage when making his 2013 bow against four rivals in the January 5

Sham. He had to work harder than expected that afternoon as the 2-5 choice, but

went on to record a 1 1/2-length decision. The

speedy colt figures to be sharper for this engagement, posting five consecutive

bullet works in preparation, and Goldencents will be the one to catch if he

breaks running as expected.

Stakes winner Carving is the possible third choice in the wagering. The

Baffert trainee exits a troubled fourth in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby on

Tapeta and figures to be running late with Rafael Bejarano up. Omega Star turned

in an impressive showing when easily breaking his maiden two back and the

California-bred gelding will step up to face open rivals for John Shirreffs off

a decent second in the California Breeders' Champion on January 26. The

fast-finishing winner of that event, Tiz a Minister, is also entered in the San

Felipe.

San Pedro runner-up Hear the Ghost will make his first attempt at two turns

for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, and maiden winners Kochees and Salutos Amigos

complete the field.

One race after the San Felipe, a full field of 12 three-year-old fillies will

square off in the $70,000

China Doll.

Sweet Life winner Judy in Disguise and Blue Norther vixen Sky High Gal are top

contenders in the one-mile turf affair.

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