Express Train Eyes Win in Wide-Open Laffit Pincay Jr.

With the recent setback of Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Full Serrano  and the barn change of Skinner  to Cherie DeVaux's stable at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the newly renamed Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2) has become a wide-open affair Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.

Formerly the San Antonio Stakes, the 1 1/16-mile Laffit Pincay Jr. drew a field of eight males aged 3 years and up, including grade 1 winner Express Train . While it's been two years since C R K Stable's Express Train was the undisputed king of Santa Anita, a victory in the Laffit Pincay Jr. could propel the 7-year-old back to the top of the older horse division in Southern California.

Trained by John Shirreffs, Express Train returned to the races from a 19-month layoff in the April 27 Kona Gold Stakes. He finished a game third behind The Chosen Vron  in a distance far too short, followed by another third-place showing in the July 27 San Diego Handicap (G2). Unraced since the San Diego, the son of Union Rags   has turned in a consistent work tab, including two five-furlong bullet breezes at Del Mar Nov. 14 and Nov. 22.

In his 14 trips around the Santa Anita oval, Express Train has been out of the money only three times.

Hector Berrios has the call.

A pair of battle-hardened geldings, Tarantino  and Katonah , will be looking to keep Express Train from the winner's circle.

Tarantino registered one of his best performances yet when running a game second to Skinner in last month's Native Diver Stakes (G3). The Peter Eurton trainee entered the Native Diver off the momentum of two straight triple-digit Equibase Speed Figure-earning victories and nearly pulled off his first stakes score before being nailed at the wire.

Edwin Maldonado retains the mount for owners David Bernsen, who claimed the son of Pioneerof the Nile for $40,000 at Del Mar in July, and Rockingham Ranch.

Morning-line favorite Katonah from the Doug O'Neill barn will be seeking his first win since taking the Pleasanton Mile Stakes in July of 2023. The R3 Racing color bearer was a game runner-up in his first start off the year layoff in the San Diego Handicap but has failed to hit the board in three starts since. He was a respectable closing fifth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths, in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Katonah will be equipped with blinkers for the Laffit Pincay Jr., and Frankie Dettori will ride the 5-year-old son of Klimt .

American Admiral  and Lammas , the 1-2 finishers in last month's Mt. Diablo Stakes at the Pleasanton meet, reprise their rivalry in Thursday's contest.