Plenty of takers versus Shared Belief in Big 'Cap

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Although considered the best thoroughbred racing, Shared Belief will have 12 challengers for Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap.

"I guess everybody thinks they have a shot or they wouldn't be going in," said Shared Belief's trainer and co-owner Jerry Hollendorfer.

Shared Belief will again be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith in the 1 1/4-mile Big 'Cap. The 4-year-old gelding is the overwhelming 3-5 morning line favorite and will carry highweight of 125 pounds from post 5.

"Weight is always a big deal no matter what race you're in," Hollendorfer said "It's a big deal in this race, too. He's got to spot them some weight, but some of the riders won't be able to make the weight that they're assigned. For example, some guys are in with 114, but they can't do 14."

Shared Belief defeated 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome in the San Antonio on Feb. 7 as both horses began their 2015 campaigns. "Chrome" is skipping the Big 'Cap to prepare for the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 28.

"We're walking over with no excuses. Our horse is doing great, he's trained great," Hollendorfer noted. "He has no excuses. We have to carry 125, that's what our assignment is, and (the five) is a decent post; it's not the best, but it's a decent post."

Shared Belief, the 2013 champion 2-year-old male, has won nine of 10 career starts for $2,332,200.

Here is the field for the Santa Anita Handicap in post position order: Cool Samurai, Aaron Gryder, 30-1; Diamond Bachelor, Martin Pedroza, 50-1; Sr. Quisqueyano, Joe Talamo, 10-1; Dynamic Sky, Corey Nakatani, 15-1; Shared Belief, Mike Smith, 3-5; Moreno, Santiago Gonzalez, 6-1; Patrioticandproud, Elvis Trujillo, 20-1; You Know I Know, Drayden Van Dyke, 30-1; Crimson Giant, Brandon Boulanger, 50-1; Imperative, Kent Desormeaux, 30-1; Bronzo, Tyler Baze, 10-1; Catch a Flight, Gary Stevens, 12-1; and Hard Aces, Victor Espinoza, 12-1.

The Big 'Cap has an approximate post time of 8 p.m. ET.