Kobe's Back, Lord Nelson Meet in Triple Bend

Lord Nelson steps back into graded company and Kobe's Back hopes to rebound in the $300,000 Triple Bend Stakes (gr. I) June 25 at Santa Anita Park.

Joining The Gold Cup at Santa Anita (gr. I) as co-anchor of the Saturday program, the seven-furlong sprint drew a field of eight led by the two grade II winners.

Lord Nelson, who won a June 3 allowance at Santa Anita going six furlongs, will make his second start off a layoff that dated back to a third-place finish last December behind champion sprinter Runhappy in the Malibu (gr. I). That Malibu run was the Spendthrift Farm contender's first start after he missed the summer and fall of his 3-year-old season following a fourth in the Pat Day Mile (gr. III) in May at Churchill Downs.

The 4-year-old Pulpit runner seeks his first graded victory for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert since he won the seven-furlong San Vicente (gr. II) in February of his 3-year-old season. Rafael Bejarano has the return call for the fourth race in a row. The duo departs from post 4.

Kobe's Back finished third in the May 7 Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) last time out for trainer Peter Eurton after starting slow and rallying wide. The loss came after back-to-back victories in the Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. II) and San Carlos Stakes (gr. II) in February and March. Taking his sixth stab at the highest level for C R K Stable, the 5-year-old son of Flatter   could break through to his first grade I victory if he comes flying with his typical late run.  

Completing the field are grade III winners Home Run Kitten and Subtle Indian, minor stakes winners Coastline and Ambitious Brew, and allowance winners Clever Royal and Cautious Giant.