Bailey Back in Business for $75,000 Sham Stakes

Jerry Bailey, who flew to California last week and swept two stakes with Medaglia d’Oro and Congaree in the Strub and San Antonio, is back.

The country’s perennial leading rider is at Santa Anita for the 3-year-old debut of Empire Maker.

Highly touted before he made his debut primarily because he’s related to stakes winners Decarchy, Honest Lady, Chiselling and Chester House, the Unbridled colt is the even-money favorite against six rivals in the $75,000 Sham Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. The race is part of a pick six with a carryover of $93,542.

Owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Bobby Frankel, Empire Maker will be making his first start since he was third behind Toccet and Bham in the Remsen Stakes on Nov. 30 at Aqueduct.

This came a little more than five weeks after he won his debut by 3 1/2 lengths going a flat mile at Belmont Park.

The rest of the field includes the Bob Baffert-trained Truckle Feature and Spensive, Storm Gulch, Ten Most Wanted (who beat maidens by eight lengths at Santa Anita on Jan. 5 in his second career outing), Pine For Java and Man Among Men (who is switching to the dirt after winning two of three on the grass for trainer Gary Mandella).

Besides Ten Most Wanted, Truckle Feature is the only other member of the lineup that is coming off a victory. He won an optional claimer on Dec. 19 at Hollywood Park, prevailing by a nose at 2-5.

Storm Gulch was fifth in the Santa Catalina 20 days ago. Pine For Java and Spensive were third and fourth in a very weak renewal of the Golden Gate Derby.

Race of the day: Anima Mundi, who is back racing with her own sex, leads a competitive field of 10 fillies and mares going about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf. The race is the sixth on the card at Santa Anita.

Who’s hot: Scott Hansen. The trainer, who used to be based in Southern California, won with seven of his first 33 starters at the Fair Grounds in Louisiana.

Who’s not: Nick Zito. The trainer won with only three of his first 52 starters at Gulfstream Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Oberwald, Way Too Salty and Martinblestme in the fourth, singling Two Four Dancer in the fifth and Anima Mundi, Miss Expensive and Forty Pureza in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/87. Money: Previous day/meet total: $23.80/$531.20. Total money bet: $546.