San Simeon Stakes – Grade III
SA Race #6 6 1/2f Turf Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.
1 Sirzhu Big Guns Stables Smith M E
He took a while to clear maidens but did it in a nice race and has added two wins since then in a short career. In true HRP style his last two wins have come over five and a half furlongs and nine furlongs a testament to trip making little difference to a good horse and todays trip is nicely between those distances so should suit. His works are looking very good at the moment and he may be an untapped talent waiting to explode from the ace draw today.
2 Cobra Man Arindel Velazquez J R
Ran a very close third in the Edie D last year over this trip so clearly has the ability especially from this handy draw. Attempts to stretch him out over further haven’t really worked out so back to his favored distance today he must be considered. Works haven’t been impressive and he needs to show that Eddie D form to be a factor.
3 Bajan Mask Spankys Barn Van Dyke D
Only three lengths back in the BC Turf Sprint last year after some excellent runs in the top sprints following an early win in the Connaught Cup Stakes. That form is good enough to just about win this with maybe the only question mark being around his fitness as he hasn’t run since Early November last year.
4 Cherokee Raj Night Rider Stables Espinoza V
Given a chance on some strong works but his form is a little way off the best of these. Drawn well and this will be a calvery charge so could get some place money with luck.
5 On The Dot Jokerjoes Prat F
I feel this is an under rated sprinter as he has been improving under the radar for a while now and may be ready to break through today. Very consistent his works have been getting better and i feel he may be the dark horse in the race.
6 Insist Always Mb Stables Gutierrez Mario
He had been sprinting well before going to the Fourstardave Handicap over a mile at grade one and found the line to take out that big purse. With a BC Mile entry he proved that win to be no fluke with a very close fourth in the WO Mile but when it got to the big one his stamina was really brought to the fore and it ended up giving out. Back to sprinting for his seasonal debut and he showed blinding speed to make all and win in a very fast time at GP suggesting he is on top of his game for this. Must start favorite.
7 Suicide Blitz High Voltage Pyfer J
He has won both his races over this trip so that is a real plus but they were both at a lower level and he will have to step up here to be a factor. His works are sharp and there is potent6ial here but this may come too soon.
8 Duke King Mental Bloch Racing Gonzalez Ru
The flagship horse of the stable he nearly completed the Cinderella story when just failing in the BC sprint when going down by a half length. He looked very sharp on seasonal debut when sprinting the downhill at SA in 1.06 and 2 for 6 furlongs which is faster than most of these could go. On dirt he has the form to win, on turf there are question marks. A winner in waiting.
9 Gran Man Gdp Inc Frey K
Solid enough to be a factor but the draw will make it tough and he may just be taken off his feet early on. He has a future i am just not sure it is over this trip but if they fly early he may find some gaps late and be a place hope.
10 Blown Coverage Angelos Stable Hernandez J J
Won the BEL Turf Sprint last year after being bought pretty cheaply but didn’t really kick on after that. The works say he hasn’t lost that ability and i think we will see a lot better today. the draw is tough but there is loads of speed here so he could maybe find a way home wide if he doesn’t get lost early on.
11 Sniper Avenue Z Maldonado E
This six year old ran probably his career best in the grade two Hernandez Stakes last time from an equally tough draw so this is not out of site even though he is a long way from the rail. He will need some luck to get on or near the speed out of the gate but if he gets a trip then he could be a big danger.
12 Ags Cherokee Fractious Cedillo A
Gets the car park which is some handicap in a fast race like this but of things go his way he is good enough to be in the finish. His works are very fast on the downhill track but everything will be down to the start and the pace which neither he nor the trainer can do anything about.
SUMMARY
Just about as hard as it gets with regards to picking a winner because a good case could be made for any of them. If the pace is hot then Sniper and Ags Cherokee come right into it but the class factor seems to be with Duke King and Insist Always as the most likely winners.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
