Kanthaka back sprinting

ARCADIA, Calif. – For the 3-year-olds not starting in the Triple Crown, Saturday’s Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita still holds importance.

Kanthaka and Beautiful Shot, beaten in recent Triple Crown preps, could return to major stakes for the division if they run well Saturday. Lessexperienced horses King Cause, McKale, and Zulfikhar could prove they belong in higherclass races.

The $100,000 Barrera Stakes at seven furlongs is a prep for the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on June 10. Kanthaka, who drew the rail in a field of seven, is the only graded stakes winner in the group, having won the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs here in February. Beautiful Shot won the Speakeasy Stakes for 2-year-old sprinters last October and was eighth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 14.

KEY CONTENDERS

Kanthaka, by Jimmy Creed

Last 3 Beyers: 84-91-99

◗ Following his win in the San Vicente, Kanthaka finished third in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on March 10 and sixth in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland on April 7. A return to sprinting could be a confidence builder for the colt, who races for West Point Thoroughbreds and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

“We know he can do that,” Hollendorfer said.

Hollendorfer said Kanthaka may not run only in one-turn races this spring and summer.

“I won’t limit my thinking on anything,” he said.

Zulfikhar, by Bodemeister

Last 3 Beyers: 84-76-82

◗ Trained by Bob Baffert, Zulfikhar won for the first time in 2018 in an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs on April 15, catching stablemate McKale in early stretch. Zulfikhar will be a threat from off the pace Saturday.

◗ The Barrera will be the stakes debut for Zulfikhar, a colt with a bright future, Baffert said.

“I think he can go two turns,” Baffert said.

McKale, by Congrats

Beyers: 83-88

◗ McKale had an impressive debut in a maiden race at six furlongs on March 10, leading throughout to win by 2 1/4 lengths. He disputed the pace in the April 15 optional claimer and was beaten a half-length at 1-2 by Zulfikhar.

Baffert said Thursday that McKale is better than the loss indicates.

“McKale got a little tired,” Baffert said. “He was a little short.”

◗ While Zulfikhar could be tried in longer races, McKale is likely to stay at one turn.

“McKale is definitely a sprinter,” Baffert said.

King Cause, by Creative Cause Last 3 Beyers: 77-72-45

◗ King Cause won a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs in a 23-1 upset April 29 in his third start. The fast turnaround is not a concern to trainer Doug O’Neill.

“He came out of it in great shape” he said.