Rafael Bejarano has ridden Bourbon Bay nine times in the 6-year-old Sligo
Bay gelding’s 23-race career, winning four times, including the marathon
grass series of the San Luis Obispo Handicap, the San Luis Rey Handicap
and the San Juan Capistrano Handicap at Santa Anita in 2010, each a
Grade II race.
“I think you can do anything you want with him,” Bejarano said
upon scrutinizing the past performances of the San Marcos, which did not
indicate an abundance of speed. “I’ve got a good post (outside) and
I’ll have plenty of time to find a good position for my horse.
“It looks like only a couple of horses in the race have speed,
so we’ll see. He can be on the lead but he doesn’t have to be on the
lead. He can be close, but he’s going to run well.”
Trained by Neil Drysdale for owners David and Jill
Heerensperger, Bourbon Bay has a 7-5-4 record from 23 starts with
earnings of $779,536.
The field for the San Marcos: Utopian, Mike Smith, 15-1; Norvsky,
Joe Talamo, 7-2; Sanagas, Joe Rosario, 8-5; Ashtar, Kevin Krigger,
20-1; The Usual Q.T., Victor Espinoza, 4-1; Slim Shadey, David Flores,
15-1; and defending champion Bourbon Bay, Rafael Bejarano, 5-2.
Worth Repeating, who had been listed at 8-1 on Jon White’s
morning line, was scratched. “Coming back to the barn after schooling
yesterday he kicked the fence and needed stitches in his right hind
leg,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “It’s not serious, but obviously we
couldn’t run him.”