Saint’s Honor Can Join Elite Group

Saint’s Honor, who won the San Fernando Breeders’ Cup Stakes at 24-1 nearly three weeks ago, on Saturday will try to become the third horse in the last 11 years to follow that with a victory in the Strub Stakes.

Silver Charm in 1998 and Flying Continental in 1990 were the other 4-year-olds who won the San Fernando and Strub. Kent Desormeaux will ride the son of St. Jovite, who worked five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 at Hollywood Park on Tuesday in his final prep for the Grade II. Saint’s Honor is trained by Craig Dollase for owner Stephan Herold.

Among those also expected to enter the $500,000 race this morning are General Challenge, who had much trouble in the San Fernando and will be ridden for the first time by Corey Nakatani. The runaway leading rider at the meet, Nakatani replaces Chris McCarron.

The others expected to start are Cliquot, with Eddie Delahoussaye replacing Nakatani; Cape Canaveral, Luftikus, Mr. Broad Blade and David, an import from New York.

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Trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes two of the last three years, will try for another victory Saturday in the Grade II with the California-bred Gibson County.

Baffert, who won in 1997 with Silver Charm and Exploit last year, was also to have started El Corredor, but a bruised foot has sidelined the son of Mr. Greely.

Gibson County’s likely opponents include Malabar Gold, Archer City Slew, Joopy Doopy and Tavasco.

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The entry of Behrens and Pleasant Breeze was established the 2-1 favorite for Saturday’s $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park, but only the former is expected to start.

Making his first start since flopping in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Behrens will try to better his second-place finish to Puerto Madero in last year’s Donn.

Ten others were entered in the Donn, which is run at 1 1/8 miles: Stephen Got Even, First American, Salty Sea, Call Me Mr. Vain, Stone Bridge, Golden Missile, Sir Bear, Almutawakel, Best Of Luck and Rock And Roll.

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Horse Racing Notes

Exchange Rate, second to Dixie Union in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship and Best Pal Stakes last year, made a successful U.S. debut, winning a $50,000 allowance on the grass Wednesday at Santa Anita. Owned by Satish Sanan’s Padua Stable and trained by Wayne Lukas, the 3-year-old son of Danzig was ridden by Corey Nakatani and has now won two of four. . . . Laffit Pincay Jr., the world’s winningest rider, won twice at Santa Anita. He won the second race with Cee Dreams and the sixth with first-time starter Sunlit Gold.