AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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SAN RAFAEL S. (G3), 3RD-SA, $100,000, 3YO, 1M, 1:31 P.M. PST, 1-16 |
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| 1 |
CARDIFF GIANT, 3, c, by Yankee GentlemanStop the Croquet, by Stop the Music O-M Racing; B-Kim & Rodney Nardelli (Ky) |
| 2 |
DOMONATION, 3, c, by Maria’s MonSnickeez, by Mr. Greeley O-Joy Ride Racing or La Cresta Farm; B-B & B Thoroughbreds Inc., Mountain States Stables Inc. (Ky) |
| 3 |
CONVEYANCE, 3, c, by Indian CharlieEmptythetill, by Holy Bull O-Zabeel Racing Int Corp; B-Gulf Coast Farms LLC (Ky) |
| 4 |
LUCKY RAVE (GB), 3, c, by Lucky StoryRave On, by Barathea (Ire) O-Mr & Mrs Marc C Ferrell; B-Cothi Bloodstock (GB) |
| 5 |
VIA VERDE, 3, c, by Cherokee RunFortuesque, by Fortunate Prospect O-Ike & Dawn Thrash; B-Jim E Nelson, Sergio de Sousa & Darley (Ky) |
A compact field of five will travel one mile in Saturday’s $100,000 San
Rafael S. (G3), led by the unbeaten CONVEYANCE (Indian Charlie). Trained by Bob
Baffert, the speedy Kentucky-bred has yet to be challenged from two lifetime
tries, including an impressive, open-length allowance romp in November. While the
gray has acted like a sprinter to this point, he’s earned solid 94 and 97 BRIS
Late Pace ratings in his two outings and should make short work of this field
with his best. Garrett Gomez will be along for the ride.
We like VIA VERDE (Cherokee Run) and view him as the runner-up in this race
for trainer John Sadler. The dark bay Kentucky-bred owns only a grass win to
date and failed to fire in his lone stakes race last out, but we envision big
improvement in this spot on his preferred surface. The ridgling was a fine second
in both main-track starts and should appreciate the added ground here. Rafael Bejarano will guide our exacta completer.
LUCKY RAVE (GB) (Lucky Story) earned a commendable 101 BRIS Late Pace figure
for his rallying third in the
grassy Generous S. (G3) most recently and deserves another chance on Pro-Ride for trainer Peter Eurton. The bay colt was a runaway winner in each
of his all-weather tries in Europe, but he tired in the lane to 10th after being
well positioned in his U.S. bow, the Norfolk S. (G1). He’s probably capable of much better,
and we’ll look for the bay to be in the thick of the exotics picture beneath
Alex Solis.
CARDIFF GIANT (Yankee Gentleman) had a nine-race juvenile campaign but
seemingly got better as the year progressed for conditioner Jorge Periban. The
former claimer exits a big second in a tough allowance heat last out, and if he
proves that he can get eight panels after sprinting for the entirety of his
career, he could get some graded money from the rail. DOMONATION (Maria’s Mon) was second in the Stuka S. last out and will
stretch out past 6 1/2 furlongs for the initial time. The one-run closer has
some ability, but he’s still got much to prove. Joel Rosario has the assignment.