By Christie DeBernardis
'TDN Rising Star' Gift Box (Twirling Candy) looks to score his third consecutive win since moving to the West Coast barn of trainer John Sadler in Monday's GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita S. Previously campaigned by Lane's End's W.S. Farish and conditioner Chad Brown, he was privately purchased by Hronis Racing last term and moved to Sadler. The gray is a perfect two-for-two in California, besting the late Battle of Midway (Smart Strike) in the GII San Antonio S. Dec. 26 and edging MGISW McKinzie (Street Sense) by a nose after a gritty stretch battle in the GI Santa Anita H. Apr. 6. That effort was further flattered when McKinzie came back to romp in the GII Alysheba S. on Kentucky Derby day and that runner is now pointing for the prestigious GI Met Mile S.
Todd Pletcher ships last term's GII Wood Memorial S. hero Vino Rosso (Curlin) in from New York to challenge the favorite. Third in the GII Jim Dandy S. last July, he was fifth in the GI Travers S. in August and was subsequently shelved for the season. Resurfacing in Aqueduct's one-mile Stymie S. Mar. 9, the chestnut won that event and was fourth next out in the GI Carter H. in Ozone Park Apr. 6.
Core Beliefs (Quality Road) returns to the Grade I level off a narrow victory in the GII New Orleans H. Mar. 23. The third-place finisher from that test Lone Sailor (Majestic Warrior) is also entered here, having finished a neck second in the GII Oaklawn H. last time Apr. 13.
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