San Juan Capistrano Revolves Around Planetario

On June 16, closing day of the Hollywood Meet at Santa Anita Park, Red Rafa Stud's Planetario , trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, seeks to become the first back-to-back winner of the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) since the Eduardo Inda-trained T. H Approval in 2005-06.

To repeat in the $100,000, 1 3/4-mile stamina test on turf, he must defeat five rivals, including Rockemperor , conditioned by three-time San Juan Capistrano winner and current leading trainer Phil D'Amato. 

Planetario romped in last year's San Juan Capistrano and is likely to be favored Sunday. Though he has not won in three starts since taking the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) last fall, he is in good form, most recently finishing third in the May 4 Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) over a 1 1/4-mile distance.

Hector Berrios rides.

Rockemperor, blocked in the stretch when sixth in the Charlie Whittingham under Victor Espinoza, will be making his second start for D'Amato after being based in the east with trainer Chad Brown. 

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D'Amato said of Rockemperor's race in the Charlie Whittingham, "It was an extremely troubled trip that day. He was about to come with a huge run and then got stopped cold for a sixteenth of a mile.

"He's an old, class horse. I think if he can get a good trip, he'll be very effective. He's been training very well."

Antonio Fresu replaces Espinoza in the saddle.