Showdown Might Not Be in the Big ‘Cap

Given the results of the $400,000 Strub Stakes on Saturday and the $250,000 San Antonio Handicap on Sunday, the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 1 should be setting up as a showdown between Medaglia d’Oro and Congaree.

However, the connections of both Medaglia d’Oro, who was a seven-length winner of the Strub in his first race in more than three months, and Congaree, who earned his third consecutive victory in the San Antonio, have another location in mind for their first confrontation.

Bobby Frankel, who trains Medaglia d’Oro for owner Ed Gann, indicated Saturday the $6-million Dubai World Cup on March 29 is his preferred option and the same holds true for Bob Baffert, who trains Congaree for owners Robert and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable.

The possibility of war between the U.S. and Iraq is what could keep both horses home, creating an intriguing Big ‘Cap.

Since lackluster try on turf in the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile on Oct. 5, Congaree, the 7-10 favorite Sunday, has been impressive. He dominated in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 30, winning by 5 1/2 lengths, then was equally impressive in the San Pasqual Handicap here last month.

In the San Antonio, a Grade II race, Congaree never looked like a loser. He sat off the pace carved out by longshot Fleetstreet Dancer for most of the way, then took over into the stretch and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths. He completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 3/5 under jockey Jerry Bailey.

Making his first appearance since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 26, Milwaukee Brew, the defending Santa Anita Handicap champion, defeated 3-1 second choice Pleasantly Perfect by a length for second. Piensa Sonando, Cottage and Fleetstreet Dancer completed the order of finish.

Third in each the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2001, Congaree is a much better animal these days. He has matured physically and he has learned how to relax off the pace.”We’re just enjoying this horse. I’m glad they [the McNairs] decided to keep him in training,” Baffert said.

If Congaree and Medaglia d’Oro run in the same race, whether in Dubai or anywhere else, Bailey will have a decision to make since he rides both.

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Making his first start as a 4-year-old, Harlan’s Holiday, the 7-10 favorite, was a workmanlike winner over Bonus Pack and four others in a $46,000 allowance at Gulfstream Park.

Harlan’s Holiday, the favorite in last year’s Kentucky Derby, won by 1 3/4 lengths under jockey John Velasquez. He completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 1/5.