Arabian Knight Makes First Start Since BC in San Diego

Grade 1 winner Arabian Knight  returns to the sight of his biggest victory while making his 4-year-old debut in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar July 27.

Arabian Knight was last seen at the starting gate nine months ago in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 4. After setting a solid tempo, the son of Uncle Mo   faded to fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths.

Following some time off, the colt trained by Bob Baffert made his reappearance on the work tab April 11 and has steadily worked every six to nine days since, recording three bullets in his last six works.

Hopes have always been high for Arabian Knight since Zedan Racing Stables purchased the colt for $2.3 million at the 2022 Ocala Breeders' Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Bred in Kentucky by Corser Thoroughbreds, Arabian Knight has won three of five starts and earned $1,544,275.

The San Diego is a springboard to the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar Aug. 31, a race Arabian Knight took by a neck last season. Win or lose, the San Diego should provide him with the proper tune-up to prepare for a title defense.

Challengers with Something to Prove

Both Express Train  and Newgrange , at one time, were able to lay claim to the throne of California's leading older horse.

C R K Stable's Express Train counts victory in the 2022 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) among his five graded tallies. However, the John Shirreffs trainee sat on the bench for the entirety of his 6-year-old season.

Returning from his near 19-month layoff April 27, the 7-year-old son of Union Rags   encountered a tough task while sprinting against California's best in the 6 1/2-furlong Kona Gold Stakes, finishing 5 3/4 lengths behind The Chosen Vron  and Happy Jack .

Newgrange was the division's rising star over the winter for Rockingham Ranch, David Bernsen, and Little Red Feather Racing with victories in the San Antonio (G2) and San Pasqual (G2) stakes. However, the 5-year-old son of Violence   failed to kick in the stretch of the March 3 Santa Anita Handicap where he was beaten 11 3/4 lengths.

While that trio attempts to reclaim their position at the top, Dr. Venkman  is an interesting new challenger. Raced exclusively in sprints during his four-race career, the Ghostzapper   gelding stretches out to 1 1/16 miles over a surface that he sports a 2-for-2 record.

Rounding out the field are Argentinian group 1 winner Subsanador , who was second beaten a head in the March 3 Santa Anita Handicap, and Katonah , who enters off a year layoff.

The San Diego is race 8 with post time at 5:30 p.m. PT.