Oscar Dominguez, Ward 'n Jerry Head San Luis Rey Stakes

With California's top long-distance turf horse, United, at Meydan awaiting a start in the $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) March 28, seven grass horses will seek to capitalize on his absence in the $100,000 San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) March 21 at Santa Anita Park.

The 9-5 morning-line favorite is Oscar Dominguez, who came within three-quarters of a length of United Feb. 1 to finish third behind that rival and Cleopatra's Strike in the 1 1/4-mile San Marcos Stakes (G2T). Cleopatra's Strike, who is more effective at races shorter than the San Luis Rey's distance of 1 1/2 miles, is also not running Saturday.

That leaves 7-year-old Oscar Dominguez poised to pounce, which he did effectively last year, winning the Dec. 1 Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) going 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar. The son of Zoffany also placed second in grass marathons in the Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association (G2T) at Del Mar and the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita.

Astutely claimed out of a $40,000 allowance optional claiming race in February 2019 by meet-leading trainer Richard Baltas, Oscar Dominguez is owned by Nancy Messineo and Bruce Sands. Umberto Rispoli will ride.

The program second choice at 2-1 is Ward 'n Jerry, who was third behind Oscar Dominguez in a three-way photo in the Hollywood Turf Cup. He comes off a second against California-breds in the Jan. 18 Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. Three of his five victories have come on the Santa Anita grass course.

Trainer Mike Puype has named leading jockey Flavien Prat to ride the 7-year-old gelding by Lucky Pulpit who is owned and bred by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams.

The field also includes 2015 San Luis Rey winner Ashleyluvssugar. The 9-year-old has won six stakes, five graded, but has been mired in a 15-race losing streak since winning the Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) for the second time in May 2017. 

The gelded son of Game Plan was fourth in the Unusual Heat Turf Classic, 1 1/4 lengths behind Ward 'n Jerry.

Jockey Brice Blanc will ride Ashleyluvssugar for trainer Peter Eurton and owners Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable, and Ciaglia Racing.

Swamp Souffle, Camino Del Paraiso, Go for a Ride, and French Getaway round out the lineup.

The San Luis Rey is the second of two graded stakes Saturday at Santa Anita, where racing continues to be conducted in front of a largely empty grandstand due to COVID-19 restrictions. Post time is 3:35 p.m. PT, about an hour after the San Simeon Stakes (G3T).