AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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SAN FELIPE S. (G2), 4TH-SA, $200,000, 3YO, 1 1/16M, 2:03 P.M. PDT, 3-14 |
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| 1 |
HE’S REALLY BIG, 3, c, by JoharShe’s No Sham, by Jaggery John O-J J Eaton Racing Stable; B-James & Julie Eaton (Ca) |
| 2 |
PIONEEROF THE NILE, 3, c, by Empire MakerStar of Goshen, by Lord At War (Arg) O-Zayat Stables LLC; B-Zayat Stables, LLC (Ky) |
| 3 |
FEISTY SUANCES, 3, c, by Suances (GB)Good and Hot, by Good and Tough O-Red Baron’s Barn LLC; B-Red Baron’s Barn (Ca) |
| 4 |
SHAFTED, 3, c, by MineshaftTwist Afleet, by Afleet O-Woodford Racing LLC; B-George & Charles Bolton (Ky) |
| 5 |
JERANIMO, 3, c, by CongareeJera, by Jeblar O-B J Wright; B-Brylynn Farm, Inc. (Fl) |
| 6 |
KELLY LEAK, 3, c, by Runaway GroomHasty Appeal, by World Appeal O-Blahut Racing LLC Avila Johnson et al; B-Luis de Hechavarria (Fl) |
| 7 |
NEW BAY, 3, c, by CuveeRoyal Dove (Ire), by Royal Academy O-B Wayne Hughes; B-Ironwater Farms Joint Venture (Ky) |
Six sophomores have been entered to challenge PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire
Maker), the leader of the West Coast three-year-old
brigade, in the $200,000 San Felipe S. (G2) at
Santa Anita on Saturday. The deserving favorite has a monstrous class edge over
this cast and has been working up a storm in advance of this, but we’re looking
for a big upset in this test.
KELLY LEAK (Runaway Groom) could end up scratching, but if he stays in, we’re
going to give the talented runner a chance in here at decent odds. The Michael Machowsky
trainee crossed the line first in the Best Pal S. (G2) as a juvenile before
being disqualified to fourth for interference. He’s actually finished unplaced
only once, after uncharacteristically dueling early in the Del Mar Futurity
(G1), and he’s held good form ever since. Last time out, he looked good when
taking a solid grass allowance. If the Florida-bred can get the jump on the
favorite, he can spring a surprise.
Pioneerof the Nile has every right to beat this field under little urging
from Garrett Gomez, but we think he can possibly be vulnerable at odds-on.
This race has virtually no pace and could turn into a sprint from the top of the
lane to the wire. The Bob Baffert trainee, while brilliant, is more of a grinder
than a sprinter, and he could conceivably be outkicked to the finish. While this
could be wishful thinking, we’ll take our chance while using the imposing colt
in every exotics wager.
JERANIMO (Congaree) intrigues us from a pace perspective, as he should get
first run on the closers for Michael Pender. The bay colt toppled a nice maiden
field two back prior to running a decent second in a smart allowance in his
latest venture, and he should move up here in his second two-turn event. We’ll
use the Florida-bred.
NEW BAY (Cuvee) has won two in succession for Richard Mandella, who stated
that his colt should love two-turn racing. We don’t envision this one being fast
enough to win this race from the outside post, though. On the other hand, note
that Mandella, who had been leaning toward Sunday’s Pasadena S. on turf, decided
to run him in this spot.
SHAFTED (Mineshaft) has looked good on two occasions and average in two other
tries for Mark Casse, and he’s within reach of an exotics piece on this day. The
chestnut looked the part on this oval two back, but his late-running style
doesn’t fit the shape of this race.
FEISTY SUANCES (Suances [GB]) should be the early leader in this race for
Darrell Vienna, but we don’t see the three-year-old being there at the end. The
California-bred appears to have distance limitations.
HE’S REALLY BIG (Johar) has won both of his races since stretching out for
Rafael Becerra, but the former claimer would surprise us if he finished in the
top three of this one. He is also cross-entered to the grassy Pasadena.