Formerly known as the Ancient Title Stakes up until 2011, It would be Dynark Stables Omega Cipher who would win the first ever SA Sprint Championship event the following season. We have to go all the way back to 2006 to find the record time for this affair set by Paradise Stable’s Tribal Gold with a final time of 1:08.30.
- SA Sprint Championship – Grade I (P3) ( BC ) Purse $300.000
- Santa Anita Park- For Three years old and Up
- Six Furlongs- Main Track
- October 5th, 2019
In its fifteen year history of being raced here at SA with the exception of 2010 taking place at HOL, eleven of its winners have been four year olds or older. Only two horses have been able to take their victory from this event on to a BC Sprint title. No Doubt About It ( Mb Stables ) accomplished it in 2016 with just narrow margins in both events, and Sanny Village took Bold Star to a BC Sprint title in 2013. He would return the following year and recapture the BC Sprint title once again. Bold Star was a brilliant stretch runner who when he switched leads he would find a kick that was second to none and he would close like a train off the turn for home.
Australia Wide hold’s the title for the most trainer wins of this event with five, while jockey Mar Garcia is the only rider to win two events, back to back in 2012/13. So will there be a third winner of this event go on to capture the BC Sprint? Here’s hoping for that outcome.
Weights– Three year olds- 121 Older- 124
Changes– None
Note: Number following jockey is win percentage in sprints
1 Pulpit ( D J C Racing Stables ) Court J ( 17.6%)- The first of six sophomores entered for this race, grabs the rail and that’s a bonus as all three of his victories have come from the three hole inward. Added Bute two starts ago and it seem to help him in his most recent mile race. I like the fact that he is getting back to this shorter distance and his longer races would have definitely helped. Will be up close throughout.
2 Cat Whisperer ( Hawaiian Shirt Guy ) Eramia R ( 39.6%)- They should call this rider the “Dominator” over at Remington Park. This is just a recent claim out of a Clm10.5 at GG where he won by some four lengths. His HRP speed numbers have all been plus 90 with his most recent being a 100. Has a career record of 23 ( 8-4-4 ) and two stakes wins last season. New barn is hoping to return him to glory once again. Recent bullet work of 1:10 handily here says he has speed. You decide.
3 Salar de Uyuni ( Mb Stables ) Campbell J ( 12.9%)- A five time winner in five career starts, his last win came three starts ago in the Gr. III Iselin Stakes going a mile and sixteenth at Monmouth. This will be his first time back under a mile since his seven furlong opener of the season. Three other owners of this gray sophomore earned wins going no more then six furlongs in his early events, so i guess this trainer finally said ” What the hell, why not!” and has cut back the distance. Interesting indeed.
4 Oklahoma ( Mb Stables ) Saez G ( 16.5%)- Second of three for this trainer, this five year old chestnut cut back in distance three starts ago to attempt the Gr. II True North, finishing second to another stablemate. Followed this race up with a victory at today’s distance against Alw55 company. His most recent Gr. I Forego had him on top by three quarters of a length with a furlong to run, and would finish just a half length back in fifth. Will definitely like this distance and should factor.
5 Con Artist ( Fractious ) Smith M ( 11.3%)- If history is going to repeat itself, it would be nice to see it happen here. Is from the sire No Doubt About It who as earlier mentioned won both this title and the BC Sprint back in 2016, so hopefully that blood in in this one’s veins as well. Will be the first start for this trainer since the $750 purchase, but he only lost by a nose in the Gr. I Forego, and first off the shelf has always been productive. Benefactor.
6 Barbary Appeal ( Nakamura Stables ) Blanc B ( 12.3%)- Lightly raced jockey this season and just a nine percenter, these two points alone could have him in rough waters to start. His only win this season came back in March in the Thomas Memorial at SUN going six and a half. Has always be a sprinter and his last two efforts came with 1:09 flat times. Will need to find an open lane late, but that may be tough with this group.
7 Candlestick ( Mb Stables ) Husbands P ( 12.4%)- Rider does have his best success from middle post positions, but has yet to have a mount on this gray three year old. Has eight starts this season with just one victory, that coming in a OpClm25 non winners of three race at Parx. His most recent was the respectable Gr. I Jerkens Memorial at The Spa, and he did manage to stalk in second for most of that affair. Has some nice recent works but he has others more qualified.
8 Black Scorpion ( John Henry ) Fuentes Ru ( 16.1%)- One of the SA regular riders, has been struggling of late to obtain mounts and wins. Horse was purchased in mid August and has had two starts since then. In both the Gr. II OBrien and the Gallant Bob Stakes, this three year old bay colt showed he was in the hunt early, only to be put away close at the wire, finishing fourth. If things are finally worked out with instruction, it may be a very different outcome here.
9 Viper Command ( Aer Stables ) Esquivel E ( 16.6%)- With the loss of Wilson to Belmont, a Parx regular gets the nod. This sophomore has two victories in seven starts this season, both coming at seven eights of a mile distance. One of those wins came in the Gr. I Stephens were he led that race throughout and it will be interesting to see if his trainer looks to dominate up top. Two recent works were bullets, so watch yourself here!
10 Cucamonga ( Tiratzo ) Chirinos R ( 33.9%)- Trainer was definitely on the hunt for a rider, looking to New Mexico and Zia Park for this rider. Has won both of his most recent races, with his last victory coming in the Gr. II Gallant Bob Stakes at PRX. This will be his first time attacking this oval in twelve career starts, but the surface and distance should be to his liking. After all, his three wins and two runner-up efforts have come at this distance. In the hunt.
11 Junior ( Maxmillion Farm ) Flores O ( 33.3%)- Eight of this rider’s nine victories this season have come in sprint events, while finishing in the money 69% of the time going short. Trainer has been alternating his efforts back and forth between six and six and a half furlongs in his past four with his best efforts coming really at five and a half. This season he has picked up some form of winning in seven starts, so he should stick for another check. Outside post is my only concern for him.
12 Along For The Ride ( John Henry ) Velez J ( 17.9%)- Another recent purchase for this trainer at a stocky price, is hoping he has done enough since coming to his barn to make him effective. Had a closing effort in his most recent Gr. I Forego to close to within a quarter of a length for third. Post will not be a factor as he lays back early, but he has a fairly similar running style to Bold Star, and when he switches leads, he is off to the races. I Like him!!
Also Eligible:
Creep City ( Alydar Stables)- Trainer was definitely hoping that either Mb Stables or John Henry would scratch one so he could get in. Doubt that’s going to happen as this recent purchase for this trainer has been post time favorite in his past six starts, and has a record of 6-3-1 in his past ten starts.
Duffer
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
