Californian Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
SA- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
April 20, 2019
The 15th running of the Californian Stakes is set to run on Saturday, and in the history of the race we have seen some big names win, such as Dark Crown, Icicle, and more recently, Spanish Showboat. This year, we’re lacking that one big name. The theme for this race is A Storm Is coming versus the field. A Storm Is Coming is a well accomplished Grade 1 winner who more in earnings then the rest of the field, combined. That’s not meant to put down the opponents, as there is capable talent in this field, but there is no doubting who the headliner for the race is. Let’s take a look!
#1- Jakes Last Chance (Nolespan Racing, ridden by M E Smith)- Last week, the trainer got me with Zombie Lady, and now here’s a somewhat similar one with only one public work, at four furlongs, to go by. At least Zombie Lady had a win. I don’t pick maidens in graded races. Not saying it won’t be done, as it can be, but most often they come short. This is also his third race in six weeks.
#2- A Storm Has Arrived (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by G Franco)- The trainer looks to pick up his second consecutive win in this race, and he has what should be the post time favorite. If he is not, then certainly put money on him. After all, he was 11/1 in his last race, the Grade 3 Skip Away, a race that may have been just a bit too long for him. Late last year, he won the Clark Handicap at this distance. He’s a beatable horse, let’s not pretend he’s a true megastar or anything, but he is clearly the class of the field if he shows up and runs his race.
#3- Il Assets (Gdp Inc, ridden by V Espinoza)- Comes in from Florida after a disappointing last place finish in the $75.000 Shackleton, which is a sprint. Lately, that is what he has been doing, and his track record in going longer goes back to when he was part of Mb Stables’ arsenal, but did not win any such races.
#4- Lucky Kommand (Barcelona Farms, ridden by Mar Garcia)- The lone three year old in the field, and this gets him a three pound weight advantage. I think he will have needed more then that, but he still may get a piece of the purse. He was last seen in a smaller TC prep races, the Ruby at TP, where he finished 10th, though just two lengths from the win, so it was one of those ever-beloved HRP jumbo finishes. Otherwise, he has been consistent and has won a $75.000 stake.
#5- The Chief (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by F Prat)- At times, he has shown a lot of potential, but there has not been enough of that on display in his last five races. He’s one just once in that stretch and the other four are well out of the money finishes, and twice were as a beaten favorite. His best career win was the NY-bred Shipman at beautiful SAR last August, and while that was a while ago, it did come at today’s distance.
#6- Hollywood Eclipse (Nakamura Stables, ridden by K J Desormeaux)- This will be his first race since being picked up in a $25.000 claimer. Prior to that, he has been a solid allowance horse, and does seem to be able to a piece of the purse in most of his races. He has never had a chance in a stake, but a late March work is an eye opener. If there’s a spoiler here, it’s him.
Prediction: 2-6-4-5
— NS
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
