Crown of Thorns took another big step in his comeback on Oct. 11th, finishing a strong runner-up in the $300,000 Ancient Title H. (G1) at Santa Anita in his second start off the layoff.

Crown of Thorns was 1 ¼ lengths behind the winner at the wire of the six-furlong event, which produced a quick final time of 1:08.28 over the local synthetic surface. The long-striding son of Repent should be primed for a big effort stretching back out in his third start off the layoff next out, which could be the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile next month at that track.

The Spendthrift color bearer is conditioned by Richard Mandella. The 4-year-old Crown of Thorns owns a record of 2-1-1 from five starts with earnings of $217,080, which includes a win in Robert Lewis Memorial S. (G2) as a 3-year-old.