SANTA ANITA : Ruhlmann Seeks Return to Top Form

Ruhlmann returns to the site of his greatest triumph, the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap, to accept high weight honors in Saturday’s $200,000-added Goodwood Handicap at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park.

The 1 1/8-mile Goodwood is named for a race course in Sussex, England, on the ancestral grounds of the Duke of Richmond, who will be in attendance for the race. The Goodwood has drawn a field of seven, including Lively One, a Charlie Whittingham-trained stablemate of Ruhlmann, and Chilean import Edipo Rey.

Ruhlmann was ranked at the top of the nation’s handicap division early this year, following back-to-back victories in the Big ‘Cap and San Bernardino Handicap, but he hasn’t won since the Santa Anita meet ended in April. He was second by a neck to Criminal Type in the Pimlico Special, then faded to fifth in the Hollywood Gold Cup. Most recently, Ruhlmann was a tired third as the favorite in the Del Mar Budweiser Breeders’ Cup, raising his career earnings to $1.8 million.

With seven starters, the Goodwood Handicap will have a gross purse of $216,800 and net the winner $126,800.

Festin has drawn the rail with jockey Eddie Delahoussaye and was assigned 113 pounds. Then, in order, come Triteamtri, 114; Edipo Rey, 119; Asia, 111; Ruhlmann, 123; Miserden, Flores, 112, and Lively One, 120.