Field of 9 Set for $250,000 San Carlos

Chitu is the 2/1 morning line favorite for trainer Bob Baffert despite having only raced twice since the 2014 Kentucky Derby.  Chitu won the Damascus Stakes at seven furlongs on October 31 and returned to run third in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at the same distance.  The four year-old son of Henny Hughes has won four of seven career starts and could still have his best racing in front of him.  Baffert connects at a 19% clip with runners returning from 61-180 day layoffs and Chitu posted a blazing five furlong move in 58.02 seconds on February 28 at Santa Anita – the fastest of 69 works at the disatance. 

Conquest goes for stakes repeat 

Conquest Two Step (5/2) has been in sharp form finishing second in the Malibu ahead of Chitu and returning to win the Grade 2 Palos Verdes at six furlongs by a length and a quarter against five rivals.  The Mark Casse trainee has won 3 of 10 starts with five second place finishes and one third. 

Wild Dude should show improvement 

Wild Dude (3/1) ran finished second in the Palos Verdes behind Conquest Two Step while overcoming the rust of a nine month-plus layoff.  The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee should be much sharper this time around and has a favorable off-the-pace style which could be to his benefit with plenty of early speed singed on.