(KATV,
Source: Oaklawn) Hot Springs: Dan Bearden's San Pablo arrived in Hot Springs
Tuesday for his engagement in Saturday's $100,000 Essex Handicap after flying
in from trainer Todd Pletcher's Palm Meadows base in South Florida. He was
assigned top weight of 120 lbs. for the 1 1/16-mile race.
The
5-year-old Jump Start horse enters the Essex having won four of his last five
starts, including his last two – the $75,000 Queens County at Aqueduct Dec. 8
and $100,000 Swatara Stakes at Penn National Nov. 21.
His only poor
performance came three races ago in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont
Sept. 29. Prior to the Jockey Club, he had earned his first graded stakes
victory in the Iselin Handicap (G3) at Monmouth Park and won the Birdstone
Stakes at Saratoga.
San
Pablo's best races have come when he has been on or near the lead, but Pletcher
is not worried about how Saturday's race might shape up.
"He
is the kind that can adapt to any pace scenario," said Pletcher via email. "We
are hoping for a good performance that could bring us back for the Oaklawn
Handicap."
