The 19th Running of the G2 GP Mile

March 5, 2022 16:15

GP Race #12 $200.000 1-Mile

4+ 124/119 lbs (plus penalties)

Track/Stakes Record-1:33.20 (Noble Y Guapo-2012)

Among the multitude of stakes races on Saturday at GP, the G2 GP Mile has drawn a field of seven.  All of the 4yos+ will carry the minimum impost with the six males assigned 124 pounds and the lone mare 119 pounds.  With $200.000 up for grabs, the entrants will be trying to emulate last year’s winner (Broken Tap) who went on to capture the G1 BC Dirt Mile.  Let’s take a look at the seven horses who will contest the G2 GP Mile:

#1 Sinissipi Magic (TwinTowersRacing/J.R. Velazquez 124): 4yo draws the rail and is still looking for his first victory over winners after nine tries.  He’s tried turf and dirt, sprints and routes but still hasn’t quite figured everything out.  This will be his first attempt at a flat mile on the main track, so maybe this is just what the doctor ordered.  Still, we’re endorsing a wait-and-see approach for this assignment.

#2 Sexy Back (Night Rider Stables/J.J. Castellano 124): 5yo is a MSW, but has yet to best graded foes.  Each of his four wins has been at 7-furlongs or less and he is 0-12 routing with just one runner-up effort while he has been the show horse four times.  He does benefit from the GP configuration making this a one-turn race, but he would need a career best effort and there are a couple in here who appear loaded for bear.  Pass. 

#3 Howl Of The Hound (Mb Stables/C.J. Hernandez 124): Dual-classic winner has been on a drought since capturing the middle jewel of last season’s TC, but he’s still capable of running big races.  Should be a bit more cranked-up for this assignment after the 5th-place effort at GP following a mini-break after his BC run.  The cutback may be a positive and anything resembling his best makes him a major player.  Nothing but respect.

#4 Fair On Friday (Gdp Inc/J.C. Ferrer 119): 6yo mare’s first 28-starts came against her own gender, but she will jump in the deep end on Saturday while receiving five pounds from her male counterparts.  She was a G1 winner as a sophomore and took a G3 last year, so she’s capable of big efforts.  Have to think that last work is not indicative of her current form and expect her to be right in the mix when they turn for home.  Don’t think she wins, but she can grab a share.

#5 Sinissippi Cherokee (Arindel/A. Cedillo 124): 4yo makes his 20th start on Saturday and he’s another that is trying to beat winners for the first time.  He does have seven minor placings and has hit the board in five of eight route tries.  G3 sprint foes were a tad too tough just a couple weeks ago, so he’ll need to make a major jump to factor in the outcome of this. 

#6 Graciously (Maxmillion Farm/Ru. Gonzalez 124): 5yo broke his maiden and took a NY-bred stake on the main track, but he’s done the majority of his damage on the lawn.  Not one that requires a lot of down time, he will be making his third start of ’22, the conditioner must think there’s more in reserve that he hasn’t tapped into yet.  Going to make him prove it against this company, but a minor slice wouldn’t be that big of a surprise.

#7 Hollywood Eclipse (Nakamura Stables/L. Saez 124): 7yo has been pretty honest in the one-turn mile races and looks to be sitting on a big effort on Saturday.  Just missed at this trip in late January where he set legitimate fractions up front before having to settle for the runner-up spot.  May not have to go quite that quick to be in front of this group early and he may prove to be tough to run down.  Taking him on top.

Final Analysis: Normally not this bold, but anyone besides HOTH or Hollywood Eclipse winning would be a bit of a shock.  We’ll say they finish 7-3-4 in the G2 GP Mile on Saturday.  Good luck to all of the connections.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES