San Pasqual Stakes – Grade II
SA Race #6 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Cheap Ways Riggins Racing Antongrgi III W 123 —

On a day when HRP’s year really kicks off we see lots of very competitive fields and this one is no exception. We start with this six-year-old bought from Iolaus Racing late last year and one that maybe one of those that sees their best racing later in life. Given a soft start by the new trainer, he won a little allowance at FL before tackling the Pincay at grade two where he flew home from a mile back to be a close third. The inside gate tends to help the closers stay a little tighter to the field so whilst it won’t be ideal it does give him a shot of coming with an inside run if the gaps open. I think this horse can win a stakes race this year and today may just be the day.

2 Fusaichi Future Rock Creek Franco G 123 —

Gets a great gate but has yet to prove himself at this level. That said, at five he may be reaching his peak, and he was a nice winner of the Queens County Handicap last time over this trip and being lightly raced may be an untapped talent. Watching today, but a big run would not surprise.

3 Details Matter Alydar Stables Laprida J 123 —

The closing master has another here that may repeat the feats of the stables runners last week and come home late to score a big win. Mainly known for his prowess on the turf, I liked his closing effort in the Harlan last time on this surface and his dirt works seem to suggest a new career path is beckoning. As usual we will be relying on the race engine and the AI to produce the right closing conditions, but if they do this could be your winner.

4 Living In The Matrix TwinTowersRacing Frey K 123 —

A key runner here as an on-pacer, he made all to win the Suburban last year but the pace scenarios didn’t play out for him after that, and he couldn’t win again. As usual ability and form mean nothing against the pace that the AI and race engine selects so this one’s success is purely out of his hands. A soft lead or stalk and he is good enough to win, go too fast and the closers will take him.

5 Three Year Delta Mo Mentum Farm Fresu A 123 —

A consistent sort at lower level, he gets his chance here and does have a sneaky chance. Likely to find a stalk, he has a good running style that maps nicely into this race and whilst he hasn’t good enough form in his resume, that can mean little if the race pans out in his favor. I would certainly look at him closely if it rains and even if it doesn’t, he could surprise a few.

6 Bonus Baby Night Rider Stables Alsagoor A 123 —

A six-year-old he is a grinding type that will likely give you a good run for your money. He just got up to win the Seagram Cup last year and that is typical of the sort of effort we have come to expect from him. He will be battling away for sure.

7 Pennine Way Jediminds Stable Valdivia J Jr 123 —

A bit of an in and out type, his best would be good enough for a big run here, but he could also finish a never dangerous sixth. He was in the right mood when he took the Native Diver at big odds last year and that followed a couple of non-descript races which sort of sums him up. He could run well if he wants to.

8 West Lunacy Party Black N Gold Stable Ayuso A 123 —

This seven-year-old ran the race of his life in the BC Dirt Mile flying home for third and that running style seems likely to be his best chance today after an average effort as a stalker last time. He has won 11 races so clearly has the ability and was probably the best he has ever been in his last four starts which seems to suggest he is a late flowering type. If things go his way, he is a top three chance.

9 Face The Lunatic Martyparty Hernandez J J 123 —

A classy type he went off the boil as they ran up to the BC last year after a super second in the JC Gold Cup. At his best he could win, and his works suggest he is none the worse for his slightly lack luster effort in the BC Classic. But that was the Classic and this isn’t so he must be a serious chance with this drop in class.

10 Colombia Night Rider Stables Espinoza A 123 —

Pretty consistent, but I really didn’t like his effort in the Pincay last time and this wide draw may find him wanting in this competitive race.

11 Edward The Good Mb Stables Maldonado E 123 —

A frustrating draw for this one who is another from the Fractious fire sale being picked up for $550.010. Proven ability is written all over his races last year, two big wins in the IND Derby and The WV Derby were followed by a close second in the PA Derby and a brilliant second in the BC Dirt Mile. He was tried on the lead in his first effort for the new owner in the grade one Malibu last time. If this were a threes and up race last year I would have him clearly on top. The fact that he is four and running from a wide gate makes me less confident but let’s face it, he IS the obvious choice to win.

12 Themefrom Antarctica Panionios Racing Rispoli U 123 —

Won five in a row leading into Christmas including the BC Derby and the Harlan so is definitely a contender here. The wide draw and the fact that he is four facing older rivals on level weights are considerations but if not today then this horse will be winning good races this year.

SUMMARY

Edward The Good is the standout on form for this race but in facing older rivals on level weights and coping with the wide gate it is not as cut and dried as it looks. There are some nice sorts in this race, and it is highly competitive, but as usual the pace and the AI hold the key to this race, and it is hard to settle on one to beat him.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES