Following a one-two finish by subsequent Classic winners Nyquist (Uncle Mo) and Exaggerator (Curlin) in last year's GII San Vicente S., a trio of promising last out maiden graduates will line up in Sunday's renewal.
Battle of Midway (Smart Strike) earned 'TDN Rising Star' honors after graduating impressively in his six-furlong debut at Santa Anita Jan. 21. The Fox Hill colorbearer, a $410,000 FTSAUG graduate, has breezed twice for Jerry Hollendorfer since, including an easy five-furlong move in 1:04 1/5 (84/90) Feb. 5.
Iliad (Ghostzapper) also broke his maiden like a good thing at second asking for Bob Baffert at Los Alamitos Dec. 18, earning a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. The bay makes his first start for trainer Doug O'Neill after owner Kaleem Shah and Baffert's well-documented split earlier this year. He covered four furlongs in :47 3/5 (2/77) in Arcadia Feb. 5. “He's training really well and we're looking forward to getting him started,” O'Neill said.
Aquamarine (Gemologist) pressed a hot pace and drove clear to graduate first out for Baffert and Zayat Stables going 5 1/2 furlongs in the mud Jan. 13.
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