Horse racing notes: Taiba, Country Grammmer set for Saudi Cup

SANTA ANITA LEADERS

(Through Thursday)

JOCKEYS / WINS

Juan Hernandez / 39

Frankie Dettori / 18

Edwin Maldonado / 14

Three tied / 13

TRAINERS / WINS

Bob Baffert / 19

Doug O’Neill / 18

Philip D’Amato / 15

Steve Knapp / 12

Mark Glatt / 11

DOWN THE STRETCH

• Trainer Bob Baffert will send out two horses – Country Grammer and Taiba – in Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup. The race is scheduled to begin at 9:35 a.m. and will be televised by Fox Sports 2 and FanDuel TV. Country Grammer is coming off a victory in the Grade II San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 26. He’ll break from the No. 2 post in the 13-horse field and be ridden by Frankie Dettori. Taiba, winner of the Grade I Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 in his most recent start, drew the No. 10 post and will be ridden by Mike Smith.

• A field of 11, headlined by 2-1 morning-line favorite Verifying, was entered for Saturday’s $1 million Grade II Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The Rebel, at 1 1/16 miles, serves as the major steppingstone to the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby on April 1. Reincarnate, transferred from the Baffert barn to the Tim Yakteen stable in order to earn Kentucky Derby qualifying points, is the third choice at 7-2 and will be ridden by John Velazquez. Baffert is barred by Churchill Downs from running in the Derby because Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone after winning the 2021 Derby and later was disqualified.

• Santa Anita will card additional races March 3-5 to make up for this weekend’s cancellations because of forecasts of heavy rain. In addition, track management has added a make-up day of racing on March 9. Blizzard warnings have been issued for the San Gabriel Mountains, with snowfall expected at the 1,000-foot level. It is the first blizzard warning ever issued in Los Angeles County. Santa Anita had already postponed Friday’s card because of the extreme weather forecast, but decided Wednesday to include Saturday and Sunday as well.

— Art Wilson