GII – Summer Stakes

$200.000 Graded Stake 1 Mile on Turf for Two Year Olds

2016 Champ: General Opus

The Summer Stakes at WO is always a key race on the road to the BC Juvenile Turf every year and this year is no different. Twelve two year olds will enter the gate all hoping to cash their ticket to the big race in the beginning of November.

1- A Wind Is Rising (Trained by Barcelona Farms, Ridden by Albarado R J)

Trying turf for the first time in his career is A Wind Is Rising. He comes into the race off two straight sprinting wins on the dirt. He also only has one work ever showing on the turf which was a quick one on the SA turf course last week.

2- Viking Major (Trained by Sccj Stables, Ridden by Velazquez J R)

A nice win last time out at MTH will see Viking Major attempt to stretch it out to a mile and get it done here. He has never worked or raced past six furlongs in front of the public making it tough to know if he can handle the distance. Looking at his conformation also hints at the mile distance being too long for him.

3- Controlled Icon (Trained by Estero Farms, Ridden by Court J K)

Comes into the race off a maiden breaking victory at MTH in late August. Since then his mile works have looked strong and put him near the top of all works for this group. With his post should have the ability to sit off the pace like he wants to and make a move late.

4- Siberian Prince (Trained by Sir Daniel Martin, Ridden by Castellano J J)

A 1:35.2 turf work puts him near the top of the list for two year olds at a mile so far this year. His most recent race was his first time stretching out to a mile and he was able to come away with the win a few weeks ago in a CA bred allowance race at DMR. If he can continue to improve and translate those works into strong races he will be a contender.

5- Sin Gin (Trained by Eastern Equine, Ridden by Husbands P)

Like Siberian Prince, Sin Gin has been able to put up a 1:35.2 work recently. He broke his maiden at a mile on the turf last month at SAR at a slightly slower race time then a few others have run in recent weeks but based on his works coming off that race expect him to step it up a notch and could see himself in the winners circle Sunday afternoon.

6- Balayer La Musique (Trained by Drabfantasy, Ridden by Moran D)

The most experienced horse in the field with six starts to his credit already. In his most recent start he made the move to turf after running five straight on the dirt and it suited him well running second in the $100.000 OT Juvenile Turf at DMR.

7- Enzo Ferrari (Trained by Our Athletes, Ridden by Prat F)

This will be his first career start on the turf. His is one that does not have much to go off of when it comes to running on the turf as he only has a few recent breezes which you would hope were better against a field like this. Based on those he will likely struggle here.

8- Slip Away (Trained by TwinTowersRacing, Ridden by Ortiz I Jr)

Owning the second fastest workout for two year olds going a mile this year is Slip Away. In his most recent start, his first on turf he was able to run away from the field to break his maiden by three lengths. Since then his works steadily look better and better and will be a big threat to win this race.

9- Calm Havoc (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Leparoux J R)

Owning the third fastest workout for two year olds over a mile is Calm Havoc. Like the horse to his inside he has been showing steady improvement off his last start and is hoping that carries over into this race. He should appreciate the stretch out in distance and show well here.

10- St Leo Bolt (Trained by Winning Link Stables, Ridden by Bejarano R)

Another of the 1:35.2 workers is St Leo Bolt. Unfortunately he was not able to draw the greatest post and will have to contend with that early on in the race. He was a solid second in his most recent start the GIII With Anticipation which may already be enough to get him into the BC but he would like to solidify himself as a contender with a good finish here.

11- SCRATCHED

12- Sneaky Little Stover (Trained by Smokey Stover, Ridden by Contreras L)

A runaway victory last time out for this one has prompted his connections to take a stab at the Summer Stakes. His most recent win was a four length romp at ELP. He was able to do it in a quick time and has backed that up working extremely well leading into this race.

13- Agamemnon (Trained by Blushing Meadows, Ridden by Stevens G L)

Drawing into the field after the scratch of the eleven horse Campfired is Agamemnon. In his most recent start he ran well on a good turf course at SAR where he finished fourth in the $100.000 Skidmore. He was closing quick that day but ran out of track. His works are in line with the top ones in this race but will have to overcome the far outside post.

My Selections: 8/12/3

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES