Precisionist to Attempt a Sweep of Strub Series

Precisionist will attempt to complete a sweep of the three-race Strub Series in today’s $300,000-added Charles H. Strub Stakes at Santa Anita.

Precisionist was entered to run in the 1-mile race Friday along with four others. Precisionist will be ridden by Chris McCarron and was assigned 125 pounds for the 38th running of the event for 4-year-olds.

The first two legs of the Strub Series were the 7-furlong Malibu Stakes last Dec. 26 and the 1 1/8-mile San Fernando Stakes on Jan. 19. Precisionist was a convincing winner in both races.

Others entered in Sunday’s race were Gate Dancer, who will be ridden by Laffit Pincay and was assigned high weight of 126 pounds; Tsunami Slew, Eddie Delahoussaye, 119 pounds; Greinton, Bill Shoemaker, 117 pounds, and Halo Folks, Patrick Valenzuela, 115 pounds.

If Precisionist wins, he would become the fifth horse to sweep the Strub Series--the others are Round Table (1958); Hillsdale (1959); Ancient Title (1974) and Spectacular Bid (1980).

If all five entries go to the post, the total purse will be $324,200 and the winner will collect $189,200. All five entries will add to their earnings--the runnerup gets $60,000; the third-place finisher gets $45,000; the fourth-place $22,500 and fifth-place $7,500.

A field of six headed by Adored is entered in Saturday’s $100,000-added Santa Maria Handicap for older fillies and mares.

Adored, third in the Eclipse Award voting for the best older filly or mare last year, will be ridden by Pincay and at high weight of 124 pounds for the 1 1/16-mile race.

Assigned second-high weight of 122 pounds for the 43rd running of the event was Lovlier Linda, who will be ridden by Shoemaker.

Others entered are Dontstop Themusic, who will be ridden by Delahoussaye and was assigned 121 pounds; Air Distingue, Fernando Toro, 117 pounds; Paradies, Frank Olivares, 114 pounds, and Goldenley, Sandy Hawley, 111 pounds.