STABLE NOTES BY ED GOLDEN THURSDAY, SEPT. 29, 2022

• EXPRESS TRAIN FEASTING ON GRADED STAKES • IRIDEO IS ACCLIMATED FOR CITY OF HOPE MILE • FORBIDDEN KINGDOM BACK IN GRADE II SPRINT • WIDE VARIETY OF PROMOTIONS OPENING WEEKEND • ABUNDANCE OF STAKES AT AUTUMN MEET

EXPRESS TRAIN TO RUN IN 15TH STRAIGHT STAKES

As long as there’s a major graded stakes race on the horizon, Express Train never runs out of conditions.

A full horse at age five, the bay son of Union Rags trained by John Shirreffs for C R K Stable LLC will make his 15th straight start in an event Grade II or higher in Saturday’s Grade I Awesome Again Stakes for three-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles, a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge Race, providing the nominated winner with a fee-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Nov. 5.

“He didn’t have the best of trips and that was his comeback race,” Shirreffs said of Express Train’s distant fourth-place finish in the Pacific Classic Sept. 3, when he was bumped at the start and wide most of the race. It was his first race in five months.

The result was a fait accompli, however, as unbeaten mega-horse Flightline won by 19 ¼ lengths.

“That was a tough race to come back in going a mile and a quarter,” pointed out Shirreffs, who will be starting Express Train in the Awesome Again for the second time, having finished third last year behind Medina Spirit.

“Express Train is a really nice horse and he’s done exceptionally well,” Shirreffs said, alluding to his exemplary record of 7-5-3 from 19 starts with earnings of $1,425,800.

In particular, he fancies Santa Anita, with a 4-4-2 mark from 11 starts and earnings of $1,031,800.

“We’re very proud of him,” Shirreffs said.

Express Train worked five furlongs Saturday in 1:00.40.

The Awesome Again, race eight of 10 with a 12:30 p.m. first post time:__ Azul Coast, Hector Berrios, 20-1; Royal Ship, Mike Smith, 3-1; High Connection, Abel Cedillo, 12-1; Country Grammer, Juan Hernandez, 8-5; Tripoli, Ramon Vazquez, 8-1; Defunded, Edwin Maldonado, 6-1; Express Train, Victor Espinoza, 7-2; and Slow Down Andy, Mario Gutierrez, 12-1.__

POLANCO’S PATIENCE PROVES PROFITABLE

Patience has paid off for veteran trainer Marcelo Polanco and his adept handling of the Argentine-bred gelding Irideo.

Well beaten in his first two United States starts this past spring at Santa Anita, the bay son of the Storm Cat stallion Easing Along finished second at 51-1 in a downhill turf sprint on June 12, then rallied from next-to-last to win Del Mar’s restricted Wickerr by three quarters of a length at 31-1 under Hector Berrios.

He proved it was no fluke by running second Sept. 3 in the Grade II Del Mar Mile at 9-1, again with Berrios aboard.

Next up: Saturday’s Grade II City of Hope Mile.

“When he came here it took a long time for him to acclimate,” said the 71-year-old Polanco, a four-decades fixture in Southern California while flying low under the publicity radar.

“Once he did, he showed what he could do. His race down the hill before those stakes brought him to life.

“Hector has the South American (riding) style, and combined with the American style, it’s been a good combination. He’s a very good rider, one of those guys who doesn’t need much instruction, just keep the horse out of trouble.”

Hector Isaac Berrios is a 24-year-old native of Chile who is represented by agent Michael Burns. Berrios had a solid Del Mar meet with 18 wins, good for fifth in the standings, with purse earnings of $1,300,740.

“A good pace would help,” added Polanco, also a native of Chile, “but we’ll see how it unfolds. We hope things go our way.”

The field for the City of Hope, race five: Cathkin Peak, Umberto Rispoli, 5-2; Irideo, Hector Berrios, 5-2; Beyond Brilliant, Victor Espinoza, 6-5; Tarantino, Abel Cedillo, 15-1; Prince Abama, Juan Hernandez, 6-1; and Kanderel, Ramon Vazquez, 12-1.

FORBIDDEN KINGDOM RETURNS AFTER LAYOFF

Forbidden Kingdom, winner of the Grade II San Vicente Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 29 and of the Grade II San Felipe on March 5, but unraced in nine months following a distant sixth behind Taiba in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby April 9, returns in Saturday’s Grade II Santa Anita Sprint Championship.

The race for three-year-olds and up at six furlongs is a “Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen,” giving the nominated winner a credit of $30,000 toward entry into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 5. The runner-up will receive a $15,000 credit and the third-place horse a $7,500 credit.

“He’s doing real well,” Richard Mandella said of Forbidden Freedom, a three-year-old front-running son of 2015 Triple Crown king American Pharoah who had been considered Triple Crown-worthy after his San Vicente victory. “He had a few problems we had to get through, but he’s good now.”

Owned by MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm LLC and bred in Kentucky by Springhouse Farm, Forbidden Kingdom has earned $434,500 and led at some point in all six of his races.

Juan Hernandez, fresh from capturing Del Mar’s riding championship, has ridden Forbidden Kingdom in each of his races, winning three, and will be back aboard Saturday.

Forbidden Kingdom blew out three furlongs Tuesday in 36.60.

The Sprint Championship, race six: C Z Rocket, Ramon Vazquez, 7-2; Forbidden Kingdom, Juan Hernandez,9-5; Howbeit, Mike Smith, 8-1; None Above the Law, Joe Bravo,8-1; Super Ocho, Hector Berrios, 10-1; Kid Corleone, Edwin Maldonado, 4-1; and Todo Fino, Umberto Rispoli, 4-1.

FIRST STAKES AWAITS STREAKING HAIL FREEDOM

Hail Freedom, front-running winner of his last four races, is nominated to five stakes this weekend, but is being pointed to the $100,000 California Flag Handicap at 6 ½ furlongs on the downhill turf course Oct. 16.

“It would be his first stakes but he’s doing really well,” said a rejuvenated Doug O’Neill, looking younger than his 53 years, attributing it to a more active lifestyle.

“I’ve been so busy going back and forth and up and down and sideways,” the trainer said. “Instead of eating, I’ve been busy.

“Mike Smith (who has ridden Hail Freedom, a four-year-old Box Score colt owned and bred by Ed Delaney, in each of his four victories), will be back aboard, so we’re optimistic.

“We know it’s not going to be an easy chore, but we’re excited to give it a try against Cal-breds.”

Meanwhile, barn breadwinner Hot Rod Charlie, earner of more than $5 million, drew post five in a field of six for Saturday’s Grade II Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs, where he has a date with 80-1 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike.

Tyler Gaffalione rides Hot Rod Charlie.

“He’s doing well,” O’Neill said. “We’re looking forward to it.”

WEEKEND PROMOTIONS APLENTY AS RACING RETURNS

World class racing returns to Santa Anita Friday, opening day of the track’s 18-day Autumn Meet, and in addition to 10 stakes featuring horses preparing for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 4 & 5 at Keeneland, fans will be treated to a full complement of promotions opening weekend through Oct. 2. First post time for Saturday’s 10-race card is 12:30 p.m.

Along with a pair of Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” Challenge Race qualifiers opening weekend, highlighted by Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes, the Grade II, $200,000 Eddie D Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs down the Camino Real Turf Course will also be included that day showcasing an outstanding card.

With closing day Sunday, Nov. 6, parking and admission will be free opening day and on all Fridays through Nov. 4. Also, $3 beers and $5 margaritas will again be offered all Fridays throughout the meet.

Following are promotional events opening weekend:

FRIDAY, SEPT. 30—OPENING DAY --$3 Beers & $5 Margaritas at Sirona’s Bar and the Horseshoe Bar on the Grandstand Mezzanine --Free General Admission and Parking --Santa Anita’s $5,000 ShowVivor online handicapping contest begins

SATURDAY, OCT. 1—BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE DAY --Smorgasbord LA Noodlefest (Trackside) --Compton Cowboys/Stagecoach Pop-Up in the Infield --Rose’ at the Races in the Chandelier Room --FrontRunner Buffet --Trackside Dining Buffet --Infield Family Fun Zone --$4,000 Santa Anita Opening Weekend Challenge --Santa Anita Pick ’Em Contest

SUNDAY, OCT. 2—BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE DAY --Japan Family Day, adjacent to the Kingsbury Fountain in the West Paddock --Infield Family Fun Zone --$4,000 Santa Anita Opening Weekend Challenge --Santa Anita Pick ’Em Contest

Fans are also advised that beginning opening day and on any race day through Nov. 6, those wagering $100 on Santa Anita races via XB Rewards, 1/ST Bet or Xpressbet, will receive a Santa Anita Polo Shirt.

Entries for Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet opener Sept. 30 were drawn yesterday. For additional information regarding racing and tickets for promotions through closing day, Nov. 6, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

FINISH LINES: Phil D’Amato, who tied Bob Baffert at 19 wins each for the recent Del Mar training title, has 10 horses entered on Saturday’s stakes-laden program. D’Amato’s Del Mar runners earned $2,458,660 to Baffert’s $2,060,250. Baffert has six horses entered here Saturday, four in the Awesome Again alone . . . There were 76 recorded workouts Thursday, 17 on the training track