EASTERN SHIPPER BIG INVASION TAKES ON TOP LOCAL HOPES IN SATURDAY’S GII, $750,000 CALIFORNIA CROWN EDDIE D STAKES PRESENTED BY FANDUEL ON SANTA ANITA’S HILLSIDE TURF COURSE

ARCADIA, CA (Sept. 23, 2024)— Big Invasion, a multiple stakes winner for trainer Christophe Clement, comes west to Santa Anita where he will take on 10 rivals in Saturday’s GII, $750,000 California Crown Eddie D Stakes presented by FanDuel on Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course.

The California Crown Eddie D is one of five stakes that include the GI $1 million California Crown presented by SirDavis American Whisky and GII $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship presented by 1/ST Bet, City of Hope Mile presented by MyRacehorse and the Unzip Me presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

A 6-year-old horse by Declaration of War, Big Invasion most recently rallied to win the 5 ½-furlong Harvey Pack Stakes on turf at Saratoga Sept. 2. Last year, Big Invasion came to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and was beaten just a neck when second to Nobals at odds of 12-1.

Big Invasion, who is owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, has a record of 20: 9-5-1 with $1,069,832 in earnings. He has lured the services of top jockey Flavien Prat for his return to Santa Anita.

Two Rivers Over, trained by Doug O’Neill, returns to turf in what will be his first start since winning the GII Godolphin Mile on dirt at Meydan Race Course in Dubai March 30. Two Rivers Over is 0-for-5 on turf, though four of those efforts came last year at Indiana Grand while trained by Brett Calhoun.

Two Rivers Over is a 4-year-old gelding by Tamarkuz. Owned by Todd Cady and Ty Leatherman, he has a record of 15: 5-0-5 with $905,851 in earnings. He will be ridden by Edwin Maldonado, who was also aboard for the Godolphin Mile win.

King of Gosford could be the leading threat among the local hopes. Trained by Phil D'Amato, King of Gosford earlier this year won both the John Shear Mile and Desert Code Stakes sprinting on the hillside turf course. This summer he was stretched out around two turns at Del Mar, finishing sixth in the one-mile Oceanside Stakes and then second in the 1 1/16 La Jolla Handicap most recently Aug. 4.

Bred in England, King of Gosford is a 3-year-old colt by Zoustar. He has a record of 11: 4-1-1 with $189,692 in earnings. King of Gosford is owned by Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT or Nentwig et al. He will be ridden by Antonio Fresu, who was also aboard for his wins in both the John Shear and Desert Code.

Air Force Red is 4-for-7 on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course, which includes a win in the 2022 GII Joe Hernandez Stakes. Trained by Leonard Powell, Air Force Red has made his five most recent starts all at a mile or longer. Most recently, he wired the field when winning a classified allowance at 1 1/16 miles on turf Aug. 29 at Del Mar.

A 6-year-old ridgling by Air Force Blue, Air Force Red is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Holly Golightly. He has a record of 20: 6-2-1 with $488,574 in earnings. Jockey Juan Hernandez has the call.

THE GII CALIFORNIA CROWN EDDIE D WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 8 of 10 Approximate post time 4 p.m.

1. Johnny Podres – Umberto Rispoli– 122
2. First Peace – Mike Smith – 122
3. Boss Sully – Armando Ayuso – 122
4. Two Rivers Over – Edwin Maldonado – 126
5. King of Gosford – Antonio Fresu – 126
6. Air Force Red – Juan Hernandez- 122
7. Eamonn– Kazushi Kimura – 122
8. Step Forward – John Velazquez – 122
9. Fast Buck – Diego Herrera – 122
10. Noble Reflection – Mario Gutierrez – 122
11. Big Invasion – Flavien Prat – 124

First post for California Crown Day, Saturday is 12:30 p.m. Admission gates open at 10:30 a.m. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit www.santaanita.com.