Giacomo to Run Strub Stakes at Santa Anita

Jockey Mike Smith says that Giacomo, the upset winner of the 2005 Kentucky Derby, will make his first start as a 4-year-old in the $300,000 Strub Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Speaking from Florida, where he is riding at Gulfstream Park, Smith said he would be at Santa Anita on Friday to ride a first-time starter for Giacomo’s owner-breeders, Jerry and Ann Moss, and trainer John Shirreffs, then would remain for the Strub, a Grade II at 1 1/8 miles.

A 50-1 shot when he beat Closing Argument by half a length in the Derby and gave Hall of Fame jockey Smith his first victory in the world’s most famous race, Giacomo subsequently finished a distant third in the Preakness, then seventh, nearly 18 lengths behind, in the Belmont Stakes in June.

The gray son of Holy Bull underwent surgery after the Belmont to remove bone chips from both of his front legs.

He has been working regularly at Hollywood Park, where Shirreffs keeps his stable.

Entries for the Strub will be taken Thursday morning. Other possible entries include Canteen, Distorted, Dixie Meister, Greeley’s Galaxy, High Limit, Hockey The General, Ice Cole and Wilko.

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Jockey Luis Jauregui suffered a fractured vertebra in a spill at Santa Anita last Thursday and could be out of action for as long as five months.

Jauregui also suffered a bruised kidney.

He was unseated when first-time starter He’s A Triehr ducked in at the gap shortly after the start of the six-furlong race for maiden claimers.