San Pasqual is first step to Big ‘Cap

The $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap, to be run for the 70th time today, is the first prep for the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap on March 3.

It has been a while, however, since success in the San Pasqual translated to victory in the Big ‘Cap.

Farma Way, in 1991, is the last horse to have won both races. Farma Way also made off with the San Antonio Handicap in between for Quarter B Farm and trainer Wayne Lukas that year.

The seven entered in this year’s San Pasqual are hoping to match Farma Way’s feat, although today’s winner should hope Lava Man doesn’t defend his title in the Big ‘Cap.

One horse in the field trying to recapture past glory is Declan’s Moon. The Malibu Moon gelding, and champion 2-year-old of 2004 for owners Mace and Samantha Siegel’s Jay Em Ess Stable and trainer Ron Ellis, is 0 for 3 since returning to action after being plagued by various health issues.

Perhaps the stretch to 1 1/16 miles will be the key for the Maryland-bred. He is unbeaten in two races at the San Pasqual distance. He scored his last victory, in fact, at that distance in the Santa Catalina Stakes on March 5, 2005, in his only previous start at Santa Anita.

“I always thought he was a two-turn horse,” Ellis said. “He should be more suited to this distance.”

The field also includes Buckland Manor and Spellbinder, who finished 2-3 behind High Limit in last year’s race.

*

A race before the San Pasqual, nine 3-year-old fillies will run in the $100,000 Santa Ysabel, the first step toward the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks on March 11. Trainers Doug O’Neill and David Hofmans will each start a pair in the Grade III at 1 1/16 miles. O’Neill will send out Mistical Plan and Kimmy Potter, recently purchased by Royce Jaime. Hofmans will be represented by Setafire and Runway Rosie.

*

Sweetnorthernsaint, who won the Illinois Derby and was second to Bernardini in the Preakness, will make his first start as a 4-year-old in the $100,000 Hal’s Hope Handicap today at Gulfstream Park. A Grade III at one mile, the Hal’s Hope is one of two graded stakes at Gulfstream. The other is the $100,000 Mr. Prospector, a Grade III at six furlongs.

*

Thor’s Echo, winner of the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and the favorite to win the Eclipse Award as top sprinter, has been sold to Sheikh Rashid and will be going to the United Arab Emirates.

A winner of five of 18 with earnings of more than $2.37 million, the 5-year-old son of Swiss Yodeler was sold for an undisclosed price by Jaime and Pablo Suarez to Rashid, son of Sheikh Mohammed, the man behind Darley and Godolphin. Thor’s Echo will be pointed for the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 31. He finished second behind Proud Tower Too in the race last year.

*

Retired Hall of Fame jockeys Eddie Delahoussaye and Laffit Pincay have joined a new speakers’ bureau at Santa Anita. They will address organizations, youth groups and schools. Details are available by calling Chris Quinn at (626) 574-6403.

*

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com