San Antonio Shaping Up to Be Must-See TV

Bayern (inside) prevailed in a thrilling stretch duel in the Breeders' Cup Classic, edging Toast of New York (middle) and California Chrome (outside) to win the $5-million race. Bayern, California Chrome and Classic fourth-place finisher Shared Belief could meet again on Feb. 7 in the San Antonio Stakes. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
If things go according to plan with dual classic winner California Chrome, Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Bayern and champion Shared Belief between now and Feb. 7, the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes could be a welcome winter showdown of elite older males.
A day after Shared Belief won the Malibu Stakes to give trainer Jerry Hollendorfer his second Grade 1 win of the day, the Hall of Famer said he will consider the Candy Ride gelding for the 1 1/8-mile San Antonio.
“He came back real good and jogged out good this morning,” said Hollendorfer, who also won the Grade 1 La Brea on Friday with Sam’s Sister.
“He’ll go back to Golden Gate [Fields], probably tomorrow, to train as usual, but we’ll look at the San Antonio for sure. We’ll look at it pretty hard.”
SHARED BELIEF AFTER WINNING THE MALIBU

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
With Shared Belief under consideration for the San Antonio, a rematch of three of the top four finishers from the Breeders’ Cup Classic is a distinct possibility. The race would be a must-watch, early-season race in the older male division and could perhaps settle the debate about which of the three horses is the best after a controversial Classic in which Bayern broke in at the start and bumped Shared Belief.
Bayern defeated Toast of New York by a nose in the Classic with California Chrome a neck back in third. Shared Belief finished another 3 ½ lengths back in fourth after the troubled start.
Bayern worked a half-mile on Saturday morning in :47.80 under regular rider Martin Garcia for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
“He went nice,” Baffert said of Bayern, who worked without blinkers. “I took the blinkers off so he could work slower, so that was good, but I’ll put them back on when he runs.
“I haven’t really decided on his next race. I’m just getting him ready. The Dubai race [$10-million Dubai World Cup on March 28] is being considered. That’s why I didn’t run him in the Malibu. … But the Meydan track in Dubai now is totally different.
“I’ve got to see how it plays once they start running there. With the new dirt, you don’t know what’s going to happen. I won’t make the decision [on Bayern’s next race] until I have to.”
California Chrome also worked on Saturday. He completed a five-furlong drill under regular rider Victor Espinoza in 1:00.60 at Los Alamitos in preparation for the San Antonio.
“He worked great,” said Alan Sherman, trainer Art Sherman’s son and assistant. “The San Antonio should be a great race if everything comes together.”
CALIFORNIA CHROME WINNING KENTUCKY DERBY

 Photo by Eclipse Sportswire