Kobe's Back Returns East for Commonwealth

CRK Stable’s Kobe's Back returns east from Southern California and will be the likely favorite in the $300,000 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. III) April 4 at Keeneland Race Course.

The gray 4-year-old son of Flatter   will face only six opponents in the seven-furlong race and will be making only his second start since last July 27. He had an excellent comeback performance, finishing a fast-closing second in the grade II San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita Park March 7. Rallying from last in the seven-horse field, his stretch run fell three-quarters of a length short in the seven-furlong race, run in a swift 1:21 4/5.

Trained by Peter Eurton, Kobe’s Back made trip back east last year and ran well both times, finishing third, beaten a half-length, in the grade III Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack and then returning to finish a fast-closing fourth in the grade II Woody Stephens Stakes.

Kobe’s Back, who drew post 2 under Gary Stevens, will be looking for his first win since taking the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita last February.

Just about anyone in this field is capable of winning without it being much of a surprise. A closer who can possibly match Kobe’s Back’s stretch kick on his best day is Bourbon Courage, who has run well in several stakes, including a fast-closing fourth, beaten only two lengths, in last year’s Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita.

The son of Lion Heart, trained by Kellyn Gorder, drew post 3 and will have the services of Paco Lopez.

Racing close to the pace will be C. Zee, who is coming off an impressive victory in the Gulfstream Park Sprint (gr. II). The son of Elusive Bluff, trained by Stanley Gold, has already run well at Keeneland, finishing second, beaten a length by eventual Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Work All Week, in last year’s Phoenix Stakes (gr. III). He should take up a good stalking position breaking from post 7.

The likely speed in the race will come from the Albert Stall-trained Rocket Time, fifth in the recent Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park after setting the early pace. Prior to that, he was a wire-to-wire winner of the Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds. His regular rider Calvin Borel will be aboard.

Dropping back to a sprint will be Jessica's Star, winner of the grade III Iowa Derby and second, beaten a head, in the Ohio Derby. He hasn’t run since finishing fifth in the Super Derby (gr. II) Sept. 6.

Rounding out the field are I Got It All, third in the Essex Handicap, and Hip Four Sixtynine, third in the King Cotton at Oaklawn Park in his most recent start.