By DRF.com
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2015) –Disillusioned by drawing the No. One post position, trainer Richard Baltas scratched likely favorite Big Macher from Saturday’s $150,000 California Cup Sprint and will point the California-bred son of Beau Genius to next Saturday’s Grade II Palos Verdes Stakes instead.
With the scratch, San Onofre inherits the inside post position, as well as the role of morning-line favorite.
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California Cup Sprint (race 8)
Key contenders
San Onofre (Last 3 Beyers: 97-99-99)
* San Onofre has not raced since last February, when he won an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs for his fourth consecutive win. The California Cup Sprint will be San Onofre’s stakes debut.
* Mike Smith, who has ridden the gelding during the win streak, has the mount. San Onofre is quick and certainly can lead but has shown the ability to race from slightly off the pace.
“He’s so versatile,” trainer Karen Headley said. “He can go anywhere. He’s a good fit with Mike.”
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San Onofre is by Surf Cat, out of the Native Regent mare Marrakech Gold, was bred by Bruce Headley, is owned by Matson Racing and trained by Karen Headley. He has four wins and a second in five starts, with earnings of $165,040 and has a four-race win streak.
Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Awesome Again mare Rousing Again, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has five wins in 30 starts, earnings of $756,342 and is coming off a second in the Nov. 23 Cary Grant. He was fourth in the 2012 Cal Cup Classic and won the 2011 Cal Cup bob Benoit Juvenile.
Frensham is by Square Eddie, out of the Formal Gold mare Farnham, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He has two wins in 13 starts, earnings of $125,628 and is coming off a fifth in the Dec. 26 Malibu.
Grazen’s Hope is by Grazen, out of the Bartok mare Chelcee’s Hope, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steven Miyadi. He has three wins in 10 starts, earnings of $94,573 and is coming off a third in a Dec. 12 optional claimer.
Follini is by Western Fame, out of the Kennedy Road mare Jetinwith Kennedy, was bred by Applebite Farms, is owned by William Branch, Mark Glatt and Cory Wagner and trained by Glatt. He has three wins in 12 starts, earnings of $158,612 and is coming off a seventh in a Jan. 1 optional claimer. He was eighth in this race last year.
Marino’s Wild Cat is by Marino Marini, out of the Dayjur mare Faxene, was bred by Roy Guinnane, is owned by GCCI and is trained by Clifford DeLima. He has five wins in 11 starts, earnings of $172,410 and is coming off a fifth in the Nov. 30 Berkeley Handicap.
Frumious also was scratched.
Spirit Rules is by Tribal Rule, out of the Danzatore mare Heavenly Lady, was bred by John & Allegra Ernst, is owned by Jeanmarc Murphy, Barbara Accardy, Craig Siedler, Jim Xitco and Mark Xitco and is trained by Paul Aguirre. He has four wins in 15 starts, earnings of $228,378 and is coming off a third in the Oct. 5 Harris Farms. He was fourth in this race last year.