Richard's Kid, Mast Track debut for new connections in San Antonio

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.