SA Sprint Championship (Grade 1) (BC)- $300.000 Purse
SA- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
October 8, 2016
The race may be called the SA Sprint Championship, but perhaps a better name for it would be the AW Sprint Championship, as Australia Wide has certainly made his presence felt on this race. It is a race that has been run 12 times, and the legendary trainer has won five of them. We can probably safely say he has won this event in half the years that he has been active within the game. Australia Wide has brought the likes of Fuji King, Royal Randwick and Jingle Bells, to name a few, to this race to pick up wins. He will have an entry in this race as well, so do not rule out him adding to his successes here. What this race provides is a ticket to be able to return to the starting gate here next month for the BC Sprint. A full field has been sent to the track to try and chase that prize. Only one time in history has a winner of this race gone on to actually win the BC Sprint. That came in 2012, when Bold Star accomplished the double for trainer Sanny Village. That trainer will also have one in this race. Let’s take a look at these runners!
#1- One City (Kopites, ridden by J D Acosta)- The gelding has shown promise and inconsistency over the course of this season. Between his last two wins, coming in February, and his most recent start last month, One City ran 5th, 7th, 8th, and 9th. Those were all at the graded level, including both the SA Derby and the WV Derby. That win in his last start was in a $24.000 open allowance at LAD against three others. He has also not run less then a mile since July 2015. You can’t count out any horse in our virtual world that starts on the rail, but I’m just not feeling it.
#2- Accidental Notice (Joseph Racing, ridden by J Pimentel)- This four year old colt is currently riding the best form of his career and there is no reason to think that is about to stop. He has won his last two races, including the Grade 2 Obrien Stakes at DMR back in late August. That race is held at seven furlongs, and while I like him at that distance more, his race two back shows that he will have no problem getting to the wire a furlong sooner. He is definitely one to consider a favorite in this field, but he’s running against the best as well.
#3- Oh Awesome One (John Henry, ridden by G Boulanger)- Acquired by the current trainer in the June auction for $225.000, and so far he has won one of his three races since the purchase. The win was a big one, coming in the Grade 3 Bold Venture at WO in July, and earning a 100 SRF in the process. About a week ago, he fired off an impressive bullet word at five furlongs which was also a career best at the distance. He’s going to be ready to roll.
#4- Domination Nation (Double J Stables, ridden by A O Solis)- It is good to finally look at Domination Nation in a race where he does not seem to be carrying such a greater weight then his rivals. Other then the three year olds, he will be happy to be on even terms here. The 2014 BC Sprint runner-up looks to return to that race this year, and a good second place run at the Grade 2 Crosby in July at DMR may not quite be enough to get him in that race on its own though it does show he is more then capable of getting it done here. Just a few points should be all it takes to get him over the tie at 12-points in which he is on the back end of.
#5- Five Star Five (Harrell Racing, ridden by M A Pedroza)- From post five at five, Five Star Five will be looking to return to the BC Sprint, a race in which he was able to participate in last year, though did not fare well. In order to do that, it seems as though he is going to have to reverse the trend of current form which has seen him be 7th of 11, 6th of 9, and 7th of 12, all while running against the caliber of competition he sees here. Overall, his performances are fine, but he is being beaten by his peers at this level.
#6- Kremlin (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by N Arroyo Jr)- I could have sworn I just wrote an article about this horse winning a race. Guess I did, as Kremlin makes a very quick turnaround here just two weeks after winning the Grade 3 Gallant Bob at PRX against the likes of Ferro and Fly Millennium. That is a performance that should boost confidence highly, and there simply no time to wait now in order to get him into the BC. It’s a quick turnaround but most of us would have likely done the same thing. As long as he’s ready to go again, he’ll be a threat.
#7- Generosity (Downwind Stables, ridden by D Van Dyke)- This horse has had an interesting year, frequently finding himself switching owners. In May, he was claimed from Mb Stables for $20.000 by Blushing Meadows, and made one start there. It was an allowance win, and just two days later he was sold to John Henry for $300.000. After a second and a third there, he lost a lot of value, going to Downwind for $25.000. In the midst of all this, there is a gelding about to make a huge jump up in class. We’ll see.
#8- Hathersage (Sanny Village, ridden by S Elliot)- After running in the BC Sprint last year, Hathersage has been lightly raced in 2016, only going to post three times. In those races he did win an open allowance, but its his last race that gets my attention more even though he may have only finished fifth. At SAR in late July, that fifth place finish in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt Handicap still earned him a 101 SRF. This is a nicely rested horse, and I like his chances here. It’s possible he could go at high odds as well, so if he does, make sure to take a shot.
#9- Astrobound (Mwn Racing, ridden by J L Ortiz)- A strong work here on the first day of the month certainly makes things look favorable for this five year old Ironbound gelding as he makes his debut in his Mwn silks. He was acquired by the trainer in private sales from Mb Stables for $66.000 in mid-September, after winning one of six starts this year. He’s always in the mix though, as he has hit the board in five of six, including a couple Grade 3’s in his last two starts.
#10- Saphir du Rheu (Australia Wide, ridden by Mario Gutierrez)- It has been a strong year for the three year old gelding by Pan For Gold, with three wins, and four seconds in eight starts. Despite that, he is going to be on the outside looking in of the BC Sprint unless he gets himself a big performance here. Since being acquired by Australia Wide, not from Pan Farms, but from Blushing Meadows for $125.000, his focus has been on the FL Sire Series, and he has one win and one second in those races.
#11- No Doubt About It (Mb Stables, ridden by P Hernandez-Ortega)- Inconsistency has been the story for this three year old Commanding colt. That was never a problem last year, but lately he has been winning or being no where in sight. The wins have come, in 2016, against non-stake competition, and when running against graded company, his last two results have seen him be 9th of 12 and 9th of 14. There’s talent here, let’s see if he shows it.
#12- Sir Jive (Kopites, ridden by S R Bahen)- Here’s another one making his debut for new connections as he was acquired on Sunday by Kopites from LionKing Stables for $80.000. His successes to this point have been modest, mostly because he has not been running against the best. Overall, all of his race lines look very sharp, not only the third place run in the Grade 1 Crosby in July. This is a horse, therefore, where the change in ownership is something I find very intriguing to see what the new trainer will be able to do. This may prove to be a steal for that price. He can run with these.
Prediction: 2-4-6-8 (who do we appreciate?)
— NS
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
