Shared Belief, “the best horse in the country,” will carry his greatest impost ever, top weight of 125 pounds, in Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Handicap presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino.

“I don’t think Jerry had any complaints,” said Jerry Hollendorfer assistant Dan Ward of the 125 assigned to Shared Belief, the once-beaten male 2-year-old champion of 2013 who defeated 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome in the San Antonio Invitational on Feb. 7.

“The racing secretary told us Shared Belief is the best horse in the country,” Ward said, adding that the disparity in weights from high to low is more significant than the actual weight assigned and carried by the high weight.

In 10 lifetime starts, nine of them victories, Shared Belief has never carried more than 123 pounds, both times in his last two starts, victories, in the San Antonio at a mile and an eighth and the Grade I Malibu at seven furlongs.

Probable starters with assigned weights for the 78th Santa Anita Handicap for 4-year-olds and up at 1 ¼ miles, which goes as race 10 on an 11-race program that starts at 12 noon: Shared Belief, Mike Smith, 125; Bronzo, Tyler Baze, 117; Dynamic Sky, Corey Nakatani, 117; Patrioticandproud, no rider, 116; Hard Aces, Victor Espinoza, 115; Sr. Quisqueyano, Joe Talamo, 115; Catch a Flight, Gary Stevens, 114; Cool Samurai, Aaron Gryder, 114; Crimson Giant, Brandon Boulanger, 114; and Diamond Bachelor, Martin Pedroza, 114.

In other Big ’Cap news:

Bob Baffert was undecided Sunday morning on whether San Pasqual Stakes winner Hoppertunity would start. Asked at 9 a.m. if the son of Any Given Saturday would run in the race, Baffert said, “Don’t know yet.”

Crimson Giant might be long on odds but he won’t be short on fitness. “Every single day he gallops at a very high clip,” trainer Charlie Stutts said of the 6-year-old gelding, winner of only a maiden race from 66 career starts.

The California-bred son of Formal Gold owned and bred by Bryan Carney has raced six times at this meet alone in a span of nine weeks. His lifetime past performances take up seven inches of space.

Apprentice rider Bryan Boulanger, who celebrates his 21st birthday today, has the mount in the Big ’Cap.

Santa Anita offers two huge guaranteed pools on Big ’Cap Day, $1 million on the Late Pick 4 and $250,000 on the Pick 6. There will be a Beerfest and live music in the Infield.

Source: Santa Anita Stable Notes