Horse Racing News by Steve Andersen

Bound for the winner's circle after Juniper Pass's hard-fought victory in Sunday's $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes, owner Robert Irvin was understandably full of enthusiasm.

Malibu Pier shrugged off a threat from Lilly Fa Pootz to win Saturday's $150,000 Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita.

Saturday, Pletcher is back at Tampa with Brethren, an undefeated half-brother to Super Saver who will be heavily favored against eight rivals to win the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby, the centerpiece of a 12-race card at Tampa Bay Downs.

Another victory in Saturday's $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational over 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita would clinch a position at the top for Switch.

I Want Revenge is going to Dubai after all.

Patrick Valenzuela is the first to admit the balance is out of whack. Of his 39 wins at the winter-spring meeting through Sunday, only three have come in stakes.

There was concern after the Big Cap about Setsuko's left foreleg, which showed swelling. Mandella said the 4-year-old Setsuko suffered a cut that responded well to antibiotic treatments.

The Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes is a vital prep for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 9. Awesome Patriot, who is trained by Bob Baffert, must run well in the San Felipe to advance to the Santa Anita Derby, or a certain Derby in Kentucky in May.

On Tuesday, Bob Baffert said he wants to start Game On Dude in the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 26 -- if he can gain a berth.

In Saturday's Frank Kilroe Mile, Fluke was on the correct end of a narrow photo finish, holding off a late threat from 6-5 favorite Caracortado to win by a head.