Ed Golden
Santa Anita Park

European invader Dansant enjoyed taking in the scenic sights at Santa Anita for the first time Saturday morning, jogging twice around the track in preparation for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7.

“He’s settled in very well and he’s very alert,” said Cindy Niemetz, West Coast representative for the International Racing Bureau. “He’s scheduled to canter tomorrow.”

Andrew Morris, traveling lad for trainer Gerard Butler, supervised Dansant’s maneuvers in Butler’s absence. No rider has been named for Dansant.

The Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1¼ miles is shaping up as one of the most competitive and diverse in recent years. As many as 11 Grade I winners, more than 78 percent of the field, could be among the starters. The Big ’Cap will be limited to 14 runners.

Probable for the 72nd Big ‘Cap: Blue Exit, Robby Albarado; Cause, Jon Court; Champs Elysees, Jose Valdivia Jr.; Colonel John, Garrett Gomez; Court Vision, Ramon Dominguez; Cowboy Cal, John Velazquez; Dansant, no rider; Einstein, Julien Leparoux; Magnum, Joel Rosario; Matto Mondo, Rafael Bejarano; Monba, Edgar Prado; Tiago, Mike Smith; and Zambezi Sun, Victor Espinoza.

IN OTHER BIG ‘CAP NEWS:

Red Rocks, who has raced exclusively on turf in his 21 career starts, worked five furlongs at Payson Park Saturday in 1:02.80. Trainer Mark Hennig said owner J. Paul Reddam is considering the race.

San Fernando Stakes winner Nownownow worked seven furlongs on Pro-Ride Saturday in 1:26.40 with Alex Solis up. Trainer Patrick Biancone said he will make a decision on either the Big ’Cap or the Kilroe Mile, after evaluating the weights. Weights are due this afternoon. If the race draws more than 14 starters, weight assignments are the first tiebreaker.

Bobby Frankel, who had been considering the Big ‘Cap or the Kilroe for Hollywood Gold Cup winner Mast Track, said he likely would pass both races in favor of the New Orleans Handicap on March 14. “We might wait for that race,” the Hall of Fame trainer said. “It’s just a matter of if he’ll handle the traditional dirt surface.”

The New Orleans Handicap, a Grade II event at 1 1/8 miles at the Fair Grounds, offers a purse of $500,000. Mast Track worked five furlongs on Pro-Ride Saturday in :59 flat.

Strub Stakes runner-up Blue Exit worked five furlongs on Pro-Ride Saturday in :59.60 for Jerry Hollendorfer.

Helen Pitts-Blasi, trainer of multiple Grade I winner Einstein, who will represent the East Coast in the Big ’Cap, will be on HRTV’s “Across the Board” show next Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Jockey John Velasquez, who rides Cowboy Cal in the Big ‘Cap, and who will remain to accept the Santa Anita George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award next Sunday, March 8, will be the guest on a pre-taped episode of “ATB” which will air on Wednesday, March 11 at 5:00 p.m. Scott Hazelton and Becky Witzman host ATB. Chris Speck produces.

All fans in attendance at Santa Anita will receive a free Big ‘Cap sports bag with paid admission, while supplies last. First post time is 12 noon. Gates open at 10 a.m.