Creative Cause returns in San Felipe

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Creative Cause, the defeated favorite in the San Vicente Stakes, heads a field of 10 three-year-olds for Saturday's $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The 1 1/16-mile race is the final local prep for the Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

Owned by Heinz Steinmann, the son of Giant's Causeway will start from post seven with Joel Rosario in the saddle. Trainer Mike Harrington will also have Empire Way in the race from the far outside post ridden by Brice Blanc.

"I didn't want to run my two horses together, but the timing is such that I'm almost forced to do that," Harrington said. "Creative Cause is precocious; likes to train. Empire Way, he's more -- a little more laid back. He's a later bloomer, so I don't do as much with him. And so I definitely train them differently."

Creative Cause is the winner of three of six career starts highlighted by victories in the Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar and the Norfolk at Santa Anita. The colt finished third in the San Vicente and has banked nearly $600,000.

American Act, second in the San Vicente behind Drill, has drawn post three with Martin Pedroza riding. Jack Carava trains the gelding for Howard & Janet Siegel Racing.

The three-year-old set the pace in the San Vicente before giving up the lead and losing by a nose. In four starts he has one win and two seconds for $72,950.

Bob Baffert is represented by Bodemeister and Liaison. Making his stakes debut, Bodemeister will break from post two with jockey Rafael Bejarano and Liaison will be ridden by Martin Garcia from the six hole.

Owned by Zayat Stables, Bodemeister hit the track for the first time in January with a second followed last month by a 9 1/4-length maiden win.

Liaison is a three-time winner for owner Arnold Zetcher. The colt won the Real Quiet and CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park last year. As the 3-2 favorite in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 4 Liaison clipped heels and lost his jockey inside the furlong pole. In five starts he has $469,560.

Here is the complete field for the San Felipe in post position order: Blingo, Mike Smith; Bodemeister, Rafael Bejarano; American Act, Martin Pedroza; Midnight Transfer, Victor Espinoza; Groovin' Solo, Alonso Quinonez; Liaison, Martin Garcia; Creative Cause, Joel Rosario; Rousing Sermon, Joe Talamo; Tiz Point, Garrett Gomez and Empire Way, Brice Blanc.

Jockey Garrett Gomez, a Hall of Fame nominee, returns to action in the San Felipe after suffering a broken left heel on Jan. 4 in a pre-post parade accident before the Daytona Stakes.

Post-time Saturday will be 7:40 p.m. (ET).