The Sanford (Grade 3)- $150.000 Purse
SAR- For Two Year Olds
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
July 23, 2016

The Sanford seemed like a wide open race.  That should come as no surprise at this point of the season with a two year old graded stake.  So, it is stunning that Cantilever went off at odds of 70/1, to begin with.  Evidently, the crowd here doesn’t put too much faith in those who run in CA-bred maidens and then ship east.  A horse that followed a similar path, General Geek, was 72/1.  Otherwise, odds were in the teens or lower.  Those who followed Cantilever out west and put wagers down on him are probably about as happy as winning trainer Team 7 Illusions in how this race panned out.   While no one knows at this time what the future will hold for Cantilever, we can tell you one thing: you’re not going to get 70/1 again, or anywhere close.  Not after what was actually a very impressive performance in the second fastest Sanford in the history of the stake, a time of 1:09.24.   It is the second career win in the stake for Team 7 Illusions, and the first win for I Ortiz Jr. Congratulations!   Here’s a deeper look.

1st- 2- Cantilever (70/1)- Our eventual race winner from Team 7 Illusions got off to an average start, and would assume a position in the middle of the field early.  As they moved into the turn, he was in fifth, three lengths out, while along the rail.  The longshot handled the turn very well, and passed a couple challengers easily, before making the inside pass for Champsville Sweeper by the time they hit the stretch.  That one would drift out a bit, and perhaps interfere slightly with Hold The Gold, while giving Cantilever and even wider lane.  I Ortiz Jr had to be loving what he was seeing at this point, with just over a furlong to go.  The only one as good as he would be in the stretch was Made To Sin, but that one was forced about seven-wide.  Cantilever was able to clear the field by a length, and get the big win! The time again, was 1:09.24. Cantilever is a two year old colt by Commercial Grade (by Chief Charley) and out of Seasoned (by Charley Farley).  He was bred in California by Team 7 Illusions as a first quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 11- Made To Sin (19/1)- The Harrell Racing entry started near the back of the pack, as the eventual 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishers raced three wide down the backstretch.  Made To Sin had a nice lane, right behind Unclean.  Took advantage of this lane around the turn, but did have to go a bit wide in the process.  In order to pass Unclean, he had to push out even further, but still showed plenty of tenacity in the stretch to not let his bother him.

3rd- 5- Shootfromthehip (9/1)- Started in towards the back of the pack for Nakamura Stables, running between Made To Sin and Road To Glory, with Water Wolf directly in front as they moved into the turn.  Shootfromthehip would shoot right up the middle in the stretch, and seemed to do all he could.  Ran as well as Cantilever in the stretch, he simply gave him too much ground early.

4th- 9- Road To Glory (5/1)- Did not seem as though he would be the better finishing entry from Mb Stables today.  Despite his outside post, he was able to get over to the rail for the opening turn, but would do so near the back.  Had to move off the rail in the stretch, and was able to find a hole to come on through.  Was particularly strong in the very late stages of the race.

5th- 7- Champsville Sweeper (9/2)- Assumed a stalking position to the inside of Hold The Gold in the early moments for Axeman.  He would maintain a steady stride in the turn, but at the top of the stretch, he would have to turn it up a notch as the closers were coming.  Champsville Sweeper seemed to do this, and battled hard, but it’s a fight that doesn’t get a check for the trainer.

6th- 10- Hold The Gold (7/1)-    Started sharply out of the gate for Eastern Equine, and would set the opening quarter in :22.47, and then would lead the field into the turn.  Maintained the lead around the turn, setting the opening half in a quick :45.24. but seemed to drift a bit, possibly with help from Champsville Sweeper.  This allowed others to get by in the stretch.

7th- 6- Unclean (7/5)- The post time favorite from Mb Stables left a lot of people disappointed today.  At the start of the race, he started midpack, but seemed to be positioned in a good spot to the outside of Water Wolf.  Looked as though he wanted to make a run, but he had to go wide.  That’s not an excuse to use though, as after all Made To Sin had to go wider, and had been behind him.

8th- 1- General Geek (72/1)- Went promptly to the back for trainer Serenity Stables, and seemed a little lethargic in the process. Trailed his next closest competitor by three lengths as they moved into the turn.  He would make a wide move on exit of the turn, but it would not amount to anything.

9th- 4- Water Wolf (18/1)- The TwinTowersRacing entry would start in the middle of the back, and race alongside the eventual winner, Cantilever, down the backstretch.  Stayed ahead of the threesome who would finish 2nd, 3rd, and 4th for a little while, but when they made their moves, Water Wolf didn’t.

10th- 8- Effinex (17/1)- Started better then he would finish for D J C Racing Stables, sitting just off the lead, a length and a half back in the opening moments.  From then on, it was a gradual descent to this position.

Track: Fast
Scratched: Private Sector(L)

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES