Big Macher Mounts Cal Cup Sprint Defense

Grade I winner and defending champ Big Macher, along with multiple stakes winner Rousing Sermon and potential star San Onofre, head a deep and competitive field of nine older horses set to go six furlongs in the $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita Park Jan. 24.

A $20,000 maiden claim in his first start on July 17, 2013, Big Macher has rattled off six wins for trainer Richard Baltas, including a half-length triumph in the Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I) four starts back on July 27, and a nose victory five starts back in the April 12 Potrero Grande Stakes (gr. II).

A troubled ninth, beaten 4 1/4 lengths in the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) on Nov. 1, Big Macher came back to register a neck victory over state-breds in the seven-furlong Nov. 23 Cary Grant Stakes at Del Mar. Owned by Tom Mansor and Tachycardia Stables, the 5-year-old Beau Genius gelding has amassed earnings of $553,678 from an overall mark of 14-6-2-2. He departs the rail under Rafael Bejarano and a 123-pound impost.

Second, beaten a neck by Big Macher in the Cary Grant, Jerry Hollendorfer's veteran Rousing Sermon will try to even the score on Saturday. Although a highly accomplished two-time stakes winner, the 6-year-old horse by Lucky Pulpit   would appear better suited to longer distances. Owned and bred by Larry and Marianne Williams, Rousing Sermon has a third-place finish from just one try at six furlongs and is 30-5-7-7 overall with earnings of $756,342.

A winner of his last four races by a combined 17 lengths, upstart San Onofre appears fresh and very dangerous for trainer Karen Headley. A 5-year-old gelding by Surf Cat bred by Headley's father, legendary trainer Bruce Headley, San Onofre has a series of serious works on his tab, including a bullet five furlongs Jan. 10 in :58.60, and the best of 87 at the distance on the day.

Owned by Matson Racing and out of the Native Regent mare Marrakech, San Onofre could prove the quickest of the quick with regular rider Mike Smith engaged. San Onofre's record stands at 5-4-1-0 with earnings of $165,040.