Westwood makes first start for new trainer in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap

Veteran Grade I winner Skippylongstocking makes a return trip California and Westwood, who is now trained by Peter Eurtron, makes his first start since the passing of former trainer John Shirreffs in Saturday’s historic Grade I, $300,000 Santa Anita Handicap going 1 ¼ miles at Santa Anita.

Last May, Skippylongstocking shipped to Santa Anita from south Florida and promptly took down the Grade II Hollywood Gold Cup, also contested at 1 ¼ miles. Most recently, the 7-year-old horse by Exaggerator earned his first Grade I victory when winning the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for owner Daniel Alonso, Skippylongstocking sports a record of 36: 13-3-7 with $5,461,250 in earnings. He’ll carry highweight of 125 pounds. Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard for the Pegasus World Cup victory, again has the call.

In what proved to be his final start for Shirreffs, Westwood on Jan. 31 won the GII San Pasqual going 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita for his first graded stakes victory. Thirteen days after the breakout win, Shirreffs passed in his sleep at the age of 80.

Owned by C R K Stable, Westwood is 10: 2-3-3 with $313,900 in earnings. In addition to having horses with Shirreffs, C R K Stable has for years also employed Eurton as trainer of some of their runners. Westwood, a 4-year-old gelding by Authentic, has worked three times since joining the Eurton barn. On Sunday, Westwood signaled his readiness with a bullet four-furlong work in 46.60 seconds. It was the fastest of 79 works at the distance.

Kazushi Kimura, who rode Westwood for the first time in the San Pasqual win, has the call again in the Big ‘Cap.