Kobe's Back Roars to San Carlos Win

Next to last entering the stretch, Kobe's Back exploded through the lane to win the $300,000 San Carlos Stakes (gr. II) March 12 at Santa Anita Park.

 

The 5-year-old son of Claiborne Farm sire Flatter   spurted from far outside post in the eight-horse field and settled into a perfect stalking trip from last in the field of eight. He finished seven furlongs in 1:22.20 under Gary Stevens. 

 

Mystery Train set the tempo chased by San Onofre and Outside Nashville through a half mile in a quick :45.16. Outside Nashville engaged the leader around the turn and led into the stretch before Coastline gained a brief advantage along the inside. Circling opponents as he unleashed his rally, Kobe's Back proved overwhelming, winning by 1 1/4 lengths.

 

Trained by Peter Eurton for Lee and Susan Searing's C R K Stable, Kobe's Back paid $6, $3.60, and $2.60, runner-up Coastline returned $9.60 and $4.20, and Calculator paid $2.80 to show.

 

"I knew at the half-mile pole that they were all in deep water and that's a pretty good feeling," Stevens said.

In his previous start, Kobe's Back took the six-furlong Palos Verdes (gr. II) in February from Salutos Amigos, who rebounded to win the Tom Fool (gr. III) Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. He placed in several graded stakes in 2015, his lone win being the Commonwealth Stakes (gr. III) during Keeneland's spring meet.

 

Bred in Kentucky by Joanne R. Mummert from the Well Decorated mare Well, Kobe's Back has a 5-3-2 record from 18 career starts that includes four graded wins. Agent Niall Brennan sold him to L.E.B. for $480,000 at the 2013 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training.

 

Cautious Giant, who also led in the stretch, finished fourth; followed by Outside Nashville, Wild Dude, Mystery Train, and San Onofre to complete the order of finish.