Roy H Returns in Palos Verdes

[Wandering Eyes]

Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen’s Roy H (More Than Ready), who likely cemented a second straight Eclipse championship with his victory in the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs last November, will make his 7-year-old debut in the GII Palos Verdes S. at Santa Anita Saturday. The Peter Miller trainee opened his 2018 campaign with a win in the six-furlong race before a third-place effort in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Returned stateside, he was second in the July 28 GI Bing Crosby S. at Del Mar before winning his second straight renewals of the GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship Oct. 6 and Breeders’ Cup Sprint Nov. 3. Roy H, 4-5 on the morning line, breaks from post seven in the seven-horse field.

Multiple graded stakes winner Kanthaka (Jimmy Creed) has been working strongly as he looks to return to the winner’s circle for the first time since last May. The West Point Thoroughbreds’ colorbearer won the GII San Vicente S. in his third career start last February before a third-place effort in the GII San Felipe S. and a sixth-place finish in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. scuppered any Derby aspirations. He went to the sidelines after winning the May 12 GIII Lazaro Barrera S. and was a troubled eighth while making his return in the Dec. 26 GI Malibu S. last time out. Kanthaka, 4-1 on the morning line, worked a best-of-101 five furlongs Jan. 11 at Santa Anita in 1:00 flat.

Hronis Racing’s St. Joe Bay (Saint Anddan), who won the 2017 Palos Verdes, was claimed for $62,500 last May before finishing second in the June 23 GII San Carlos S. and he was fifth after setting the pace in the Bing Crosby. The 7-year-old gelding, 6-1 on the morning line, is coming off a five-furlong allowance tally at Los Alamitos Dec. 14.

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