Dear
Readers,
So
here we are on the west coast this Saturday for the $300,000 GII San Felipe
Stakes. It’s a one mile and one-sixteenth race run over the dirt course at
Santa Anita. More importantly for those horses whose connections have aspirations
of running in the Kentucky Derby, winning this race is worth fifty points
towards qualifying.
Here are
my thoughts;
1.
Home
Run Kitten – Nice colt and in only his third start, and it’s his first
time going a distance. But he’s taking on GII company. He made a nice move on
the last turn in his last race, angled out at the head of the stretch, and ended
up way to the outside. When everything was said and done, it didn’t matter which
lane he finished in, he wasn’t going to beat the winner. There’s no doubt he
needed the last race. But I think I’ll wish him luck and just watch.
2.
Unstoppable
Colby – I like his breeding, I like his connections, but I’m not
sure why he’s in this race. I can’t decide if he wants to come from off the pace,
press the pace or lead. Would be a surprise.
3.
Rprettyboyfloyd – You’re
not going to see this colt on the front end. But he should be closing and this
is his first time going two turns. Still a maiden, his connections must be very
confident to run him in this race.
4.
California
Chrome – Yikes….awesome in his last two outs. He runs like a horse
that’s going to be a really good one. He looks like he’s on a Sunday stroll
cruising along, listening to his jockey, and then bam..it’s all over. I’m not
going to compare the way he looked to any other horse I’ve seen, but he looked
larger than life galloping along on the front end. He picks up the pace with
ease and then cools his jets after he’s embarrassed the rest of the field. I can’t see why he won’t go the distance.
5.
Sawyer’s
Hill
– I can’t say much about this horse, he’s only run twice and didn’t run good or
bad in either race. This will be his first time around two turns, but it sure
looks like tough company to be taking on at this point in his career. Would be
a surprise, though a pleasant one.
6.
Bayern – Unfortunately
this colt is injured and has been scratched. But oh boy what a start to his
career. If reports are to be believed, his injury is minor and he should be
back soon. I will enjoy following his career and I can’t blame his trainer for
not wanting to take on California Chrome at this point.
7.
Kristo – In
what was basically a match race between Kristo and Midnight Hawk, and in a four
horse field they hooked up from the get go. Finally down the lane the latter
clearly showed he was the better of the two under those conditions. I hope Kristo
can stalk the leader and hold on down the lane, rather than beat it out in a
head and head confrontation. Clearly this horse belongs in this race.
8.
Schoolofhardrocks – Oh
boy, how do you figure this horse? He breaks his maiden first time out going
one mile back in August, now he is in a really tough race. I’ll need to watch him;
if he wins…he’ll be a really nice horse.
9.
Midnight
Hawk
– Clearly a nice horse, going head to head on the front end won’t hurt him, as
he has already proven.
10. Recanted – I can’t think of a
thing to say about this horse, well maybe the distance will help. I would
suspect we will hear more from him later in the year, going a distance and on
the turf. Would be a surprise here.
So who
would I put my two dollar flutter on? Nobody.
I can’t bet against California Chrome,
and I can’t put my money on him because he’ll be an even money favorite. But I’m
sure going to enjoy watching the race.
Take care,
Shelley Riley, Author of Casual
Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure
For speaking engagements; contact me at www.shelleyriley.com
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