Santa Anita Will Sweeten the Pot If Ferdinand and Alysheba Both Run

In an attempt to have another race between Alysheba and Ferdinand, Santa Anita announced Friday that it would boost the purse of the San Bernardino Handicap April 17 from $250,000 to $530,000 if both Kentucky Derby winners run.

After Alysheba beat Ferdinand by a half-length before a crowd of 70,432 in the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap March 6, Alysheba’s owners indicated that they were considering an Eastern campaign.

The first time the horses met, Ferdinand won by a nose in the $3-million Breeders’ Cup Classic last November at Hollywood Park.

After Santa Anita announced its proposal for the 1 1/8-mile San Bernardino, Jack Van Berg, Alysheba’s trainer, said he would consider the race and decide after the weights are announced. Ferdinand carried 127 pounds, one more than Alysheba, in the Big ‘Cap.

Ferdinand had been expected to run in the San Bernardino, anyway.

If only one of the Derby winners runs, the total purse will be $400,000. The winner of a $530,000 San Bernardino would receive $350,000. A $400,000 race would pay the winner $235,000.