After taking second place in the previous three starts—all tied—national grammar will seek redemption on December 26 at Santa Anita . Park where he’ll look to finish his 2022 season triumphantly at the San Antonio Stakes (G2) for kids 3 and up with a 1/16-mile dirt track.
The Grade 1 and $11 million double winner coached by Bob Baffert to the owners of Purebred Commonwealth, Winstar Ranch and Zedan Racing Stables, started the school year abroad with a runner-up finish at Arabian Cup (G1) on 26 February and won a month later at the Emirates-sponsored Dubai World Cup (G1).
5 year old son of tone artist finished runner-up in the San Diego Handicap (G2) July 30 behind royal ship TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) with eventual winner being Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Flight route in front and last in the Great Stake back (G1) with stable friend out of money win.
Country Grammer first saw classified success in 2020 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) when he was 3 years old. After an 8-month break after finishing unsuccessfully at Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) in August 2020, he is back in 2021 with a runner-up in Californian Stakes (G2) and won its first top level followed in the Hollywood Gold Cup Shares (G1).
The Kentucky hybrid will have famous European racer Frankie Dettori in the race. Dettori plans to cycle in Southern California for the first two and a half months of 2023 instead of making his usual trip to Dubai. Dettori, who recently announced plans to retire after the 2023 season, led Country Grammer to the Dubai World Cup title.
Intern Ed Moger Jr. quiet boy , who has played Country Grammer in the previous two starts, will continue the trend in San Antonio. Owned by Steve Moger, 4 years old Shackleford Gelding’s only win this year was in the Californian, which was his first score in the classified holdings. The last time he was sixth in the Pacific Classic.
With earnings of $1,091,675 from 18 starts, the Stilleto Boy is a $420,000 takeaway for Moger at Fasig-Tipton in July 2021 Race Age Race Horse Sale from Paramount Shipment Sales.
Also participating is the runner-up La Jolla Handicap (G3T) 2021 Hudson’s ridge , whom Baffert coached for Double L Racing and Natalie Baffert. The 4-year-old gelding broke his maidenhood in Cinema Stakes last year and is yet to repeat that victory in a classified event. Baffert also trains Hopkins who will debut his bets in San Antonio after a two-race winning streak.
Rounding off the entries is a pair of interns John Sadler including the 3rd grade double winner Heywoods Beach and subsidy winners Breakfast ride .
Item: San Antonio S. (G2)
Santa Anita . ParkMonday, December 26, 2022, Race 6
- Class II
- 1 1/16m
- dust
- 200,000 USD
- 3 years old and up
- 13:32 (local)
