The San Vicente Stakes – GII
2/9/20
SA Race 5 7F – Dirt
Purse $200.000
Three Year Olds

Ten three year olds have been entered up to contest this years running of the grade two San Vicente Stakes over the Santa Anita oval. Some of these could use this race as a starting point on the Derby prep season. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Operation Filth (7-2-2-1 $77.590), trained by Mb Stables

First runner in the field here and so far he has done most of his running in sprint races. He was second in the Limehouse at Gulfstream in his last start and he ran well that day. He will need to run huge to have a shot at winning here.

2. Genghis (8-2-2-0 $208.220), trained by Arindel

One of the best New York bred sprinters here and he is coming into this race off of a win in the Rego Park at Aqueduct. Sprinting is his game and it seems he likes to come from off the pace. He should be rolling late and I think he has a big shot in here.

3. Iron Return (7-2-2-2 $210.600), trained by Alydar Stables

Next horse in the field here and this one has a big shot to win this spot. He was second in the Pasco Stakes last time in a narrow defeat. He won a stakes before that and is also grade one placed at this distance. He looks to be one of the toughest in here.

4. Maze To Noplace (3-2-0-0 $99.000), trained by Aer Stables

Now to this horse who will be making his first ever start on the dirt in this race. He was the winner of the Kittens Joy at Gulfstream a month ago and he ran very well that day. He is a talented runner but he is unknown on this surface so not sure how he will run.

5. Appreciate (7-2-0-1 $84.400), trained by Mo Mentum Farm

Another stakes winner in this field and this horse will be coming into this race off of a win in the Limehouse at Gulfstream. He seems to have a heap of talent and he has finally shown it his last two races. I think he has a very good shot to win this.

6. Red Strategy (3-2-0-0 $81.600), trained by Gdp Inc

Once again we look at another stakes winner in this bunch and this horse won the Sugar Bowl at Fair Grounds in his last start on the mud. He has won two in a row including that stake but he still needs to step it up another notch to win.

7. Doom (4-2-0-0 $45.800), trained by Rampage Stable

Well the gelding of this horse helped him out tremendously as he has went on a two race win streak since it happened.  He won a first level allowance race at Fair Grounds last out and he won nicely. This is a jump up in class and I’m not sure if he is ready for it.

8. Scafati (3-3-0-0 $128.400), trained by Fractious

Scratched

9. Julius Caeser (2-2-0-0 $58.800), trained by Maxmillion Farm

One of the two undefeated runners in this field and this horse is a stakes winner against West Virginia breds. He has been perfect so far but this is definitely another class of runners he will face in here. I don’t know how well he stacks up with these.

10. Sail Away (7-3-1-0 $280.000), trained by Mb Stables

Scracthed

11. Mystery (7-3-0-2 $206.460), trained by Fractious

Scratched

12. Cold Case (9-3-4-1 $183.590), trained by Mb Stables

Second runner from the Mb Stables barn here and this is a very nice runner here. He won the Pasco Stakes in his last start at Tampa beating a rival in this race. He looks tough in here but he has very tough post to overcome to win here.

13. Italian Danzig (2-2-0-0 $8.640), trained by Rock Creek

Last runner in the field and he is unbeaten in both starts but this is a huge jump up in class here. He has a terrible post and a lower percentage jockey than all the rest of these runners. I just do not see him winning this race.

Summary

Well this is a very strong field here and a lot of these are very talented runners. My top choice is going to be Genghis off of those very good races he is coming off of. Good luck to all in the field.

2-3-12-5

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES