Grade 3 at SA
6 furlongs on Dirt
$100.000 Purse
This is a pretty evenly matched field of three and four-year-olds. In the category of what have you done for me lately, I Am The Lionking and three-year-old Sir Phooey Barbarino are the only two coming in off a win. I Am The Lionking got his win at GP and was claimed for $25.000.
Enshrined has more earnings than any other entrant, but he seems to be struggling lately. If he can run back to his JC Gold Cup form, he’ll be hard to beat. On the other hand, King Of Sparta seems to be on the improve, finishing third by less than a length in the GP Sprint Championship (G3) on the heels of a win in the $150.000 CAC Sprint.
Here’s the field:
1 I Am The Lionking
Owner: Kopites
Breeder: LionKing Stables
Only twelve starts for this four-year-old gelding. The only time he finished worse than third was in his first start. Coming in off a win in claiming company. Claimed for $25.000 out of that race. Last time he tried graded company, he finished third by less than a length in the Jersey Shore (G3).
2 Enshrined
Owner: Mb Stables
Breeder: Four Winds Racing
Won the JC Gold Cup (G1) last October and has been running in allowance company since a ninth place finish in the BC Classic in November. Nearly $1,000.000 in earnings in eighteen starts, but has been struggling this year. If works are any indication, he could be primed for a win here.
3 King Of Sparta
Owner: Angelos Stable
Breeder: Blushing Meadows
Another four-year-old with an impressive record. He scored a 100 SRF two starts back in a winning effort in the $150.000 CAC Sprint. Tried fraded company last out and finished a very close third after trailing early. Seems to be improving with each start.
4 Ghost River
Owner: D J C Racing Stables
Breeder: EasyMoney Stables
Won the $50.000 Oakland at GG in November. Unable to hit the board in his two graded starts, the last at 1 1/16 mile. Should like the distance here better and could be in the mix.
5 Copper Opus
Owner/Breeder: Big Guns Stables
Won the $125.000 Jazil in January at 1m70. Twelve of his eighteen starts and all four of his wins have been at a mile or better. That’s not to say he can’t compete at this distance, but his best efforts in shorter races have been on turf.
6 Social Inspector
Owner: Scarletandgraystable
Breeder: Mb Stables
Just eight starts for this four-year-old. Finished fourth last out in the General George Stakes (G3), his first attempt at graded level. Likes the distance, but may need more experience to compete at this level.
7 Sir Phooey Barbarino
Owner: Wex Racing
Breeder: LionKing Stables
Three=year-old taking on older early. Looking for his first graded win. Was close in the Futurity at BEL last October, beaten by a neck. Won the $50.000 Space City Stakes in his last start. Youth may be his downfall, but I wouldn’t count him out.
Categories: Grade III
