Georgie Boy looms large in San Carlos

Grade 1 hero GEORGIE BOY (Tribal Rule), an authoritative 2 1/4-length winner

of the Sunshine Millions Sprint in his last outing, will be the one to beat in

Saturday's $150,000

San

Carlos H. (G2) at Santa Anita. The George Schwary homebred will face only

five rivals in the seven-furlong sprint over Pro-Ride.

Trained by Kathy Walsh, Georgie Boy reeled off three consecutive graded

stakes victories before being sidelined last spring. The four-year-old gelding

returned to the races in late October, recording a respectable fourth off the

lengthy layoff in the Damascus S. on the Breeders' Cup Saturday undercard, and

concluded his sophomore season with a third in the Malibu S. (G1). Georgie Boy

returned to form in the Sunshine Millions Sprint, notching a 102 BRIS Speed

rating for his strong effort, and he owns a decided class edge over his San

Carlos opponents.

Woodward S. (G1) runner-up PAST THE POINT (Indian Charlie) will cut back in

distance off an unplaced finish in the San Pasqual H. (G2). The Eoin Harty

trainee finished third in the Native Diver H. (G3) two starts back and has won

over an all-weather surface before. Stakes victor HALO NAJIB (Halo's Image), a

fast-finishing third when making his California debut in the Palos Verdes H.

(G2) last out, will make his second start for Mike Mitchell, and multiple stakes

winner YANKEE BRAVO (Yankee Gentleman) will make his first appearance since an

unplaced effort in last year's Preakness S. (G1).

STAR NICHOLAS (Poteen), winner of the restricted On the Trust H. two starts

back, and Fair Grounds shipper MUTADDA (Mutakddim) round out the field.

The $100,000

Valentine Dancer H. will also be offered on Saturday's program. Fourteen

California-bred distaffers, including two also-eligibles, are entered for the

one-mile turf test, including 2008 heroine TIZ A BLEND (Cee's Tizzy). Other

contenders include CHRISTIANA'S HEAT (Unusual Heat), BEL AIR SIZZLE (Unusual

Heat) and KALOOKAN DANCEER (Olympio).