The speed demons get all the big ink and the glory in this game but those that yearn for a return to the golden age of the sport still have a place in their hearts for the marathoners and that breed will be on display this weekend at Santa Anita Park.

The fixture is the San Luis Rey Handicap and contrary to what many may fathom, you can win this mile and a half turf test by using velocity as a key weapon.

Last year Boule d'Or, who was claimed 2 races before his appearance in the San Luis Rey, got a perfect trip sitting third early, before opening up 10 lengths under a perfectly judged ride by Tyler Baze to win by a diminishing three quarters of a length.

That result, and many over the years, reinforces the adage that pace makes the race no matter the distance.

Over the decades this true test has been won by some pillars of the game. Foundation sire Axe 11 cashed in 1963, speedy Noble Dancer won back-to-back renewals ending in 1979, John Henry repeated that feat the next two years and more recently Champion Lodge padded his bankroll winning in 2003 for current Santa Anita President Ron Charles.

A select field will line up this weekend with 13 nominees to scrutinize.

Artiste Royal is a multiple Grade 1 winner who will be coming hard in the drive after needing his last race badly. Only sent a mile in his loss earlier in the month, this Neil Drysdale student will thrive with the added real estate.

Would expect most bettors to say goodbye to Bonjour. Recently 20-1 in his second start of the year, he's still eligible for a non-winners of three race and will have his work ahead of him.

Gold Request was troubled but failed just the same in a much softer spot in his first start of the year and his best asset could be his trainer, Bobby Frankel.

Medici Code has teased a few times this year but has really lacked the killer instinct while Midships is seeking his first win stateside and is coming off a flop as the 3/5 chalk.

Obrigado has been relying on his back class for quite some time now but he's seen better days and if On Fire wins, he'll be securing only his second career victory.

Three-point specialist Pistol Pete Afleet is a reformed claimer that is sharp right now but will have to run the race of his life to get unsaddled.

Spring House has three huge things going for him. He's a multiple Grade 2 winner, he's coming off a clear score on the course and he's in the hands of a Julio Canani, who has been winning races in bunches.

Poorly placed last time against smart guy Einstein in the Santa Anita Handicap, Stream Cat will be close to triple digits on the tote if he makes the gate.

The last three runners could all be forwardly placed in this race. Victorian Prince is cheap, but his only shot will be to attempt to steal the race. Zambezi Sun has been disappointing in his 2 U.S. efforts and would be racing in his third event in less then a month but You Got Me Rocking could very well roll hard on the lead as he's coming to the race right.

The projection is that You Got Me Rocking will gun and make the lead. Bonjour and Victorian Prince will be hot in pursuit with class runners like Artiste Royal, Spring House and Medici Code scrambling for position.

When they turn for home reality will start to get to You Got Me Rocking but he'll have such an easy time of it that he'll be hard to pass.

As the wire nears, Artiste Royal finds another gear in time to nail Rocking on the wire with Spring House up late for the trifecta.

After about 2 minutes and twenty four seconds, the winner's circle will be overflowing.

Grab a tall drink, bet early, and good luck.