San Antonio Stakes (Grade 2)- $300.000 Purse
SA- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
February 4, 2017

A strong field for this year’s San Antonio Stakes featured winners of some of the largest stakes out there for 2016.  It also had a winless horse that year that fondly looked back to his very successful 2015 season that included a win in that Pacific Classic.  Outward Bound is now seven, and last year was difficult, to say the least.  After running in late September, Eastern Equine opted to sit Outward Bound out for a little while.  A three month gap in public works occurred, and in late January, Outward Bound was seen at GP, and fired off a nice six furlong work.  The rested horse was sent to the San Antonio, to run against the likes Ned Isakoff and Chrystal Pip, and he showed that he still has it!  In one of the strongest performances of his career, Outward Bound jumped out to the lead and he never looked back, wiring the field in a time of 1:47.62!  It is the first win in the stake for both the trainer and the jockey, C S Nakatani.  Congratulations to them, as Outward Bound made it look easy!  Here’s a deeper look.

1st- 8- Outward Bound (12/1)- A very impressive run today by Outward Bound.  Right out of the gate, he was the most alert one of them all, and did not waste any time jumping out to the early lead, and had a length on the field about as quickly as a track announcer would say, “And they’re off!”   Chrystal Pip and for a little while, Greek Poet, were the only ones anywhere near him going around the opening turn.  Led by two at the top of the backstretch and would set the opening half in a quick :47.02.   He poured it on during the backstretch, and it may be safe to say that this is where the race was won, because no one else in the field would go up and challenge him, almost as if they were all convinced he would tire out.  The lead was three at the top of the turn, and six furlongs would go in 1:10.40, so this was the portion between a half and 3/4 where someone needed to move up, and no one did.   At the top of the stretch, he had given the field the slip, and all that was left was to watch him run to the wire! After a long layoff, this seven year old could not have looked any better then he did year today.  The time again was 1:47.62!  Outward Bound is a seven year old horse by the late Out Of The Park and out of the late Uchacha (that is also the dam for Hallelujah).  He was bred in New York by Yahudi Stables as a yearling and was acquired in private sales while he was still a maiden by Eastern Equine in 2013 for $25.000.  That sale worked out well for the buyer! Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 4- Gentile Il Buono (9/5)- The surprising post-time favorite nearly came through for all of his supporters. His start was average, for the most start, assuming a position in the middle of the field with the likes of Ned Isakoff and Bo Jangles.  Dropped back in the running order a tad for the backstretch run.  Took the lane behind Chrystal Pip for the run around the turn, then looked to the outside of that one for the stretch run.  Unfortunately for the trainer, Outward Bound had gotten away, but the race for second proved to battle, and in the end he would get a head in front of his rival for that spot.

3rd- 2- Chrystal Pip (9/1)- A stunning price for this Mb Stables entry.   The start for Chrystal Pip was good, as he would stalk the pacesetting Outward Bound in the opening furlongs of the race. He would not be concerned with Asset Class passing him to the outside and ran his race along rail, two lengths from the lead. Reclaimed second for the run around the turn with three lengths to make up.  Ran decently in the turn, but Outward Bound was long gone.  He could not hold off the challenge of Gentile Il Buono for the second spot

4th- 3- Larry L Lavendar (5/1)- Had no interest at all in the early pace, as he went promptly to the rear of the field, and would trail as they moved around the first turn.  At the top of the backstretch, the gap to the leader was six lengths, and still seemed content to linger back there even as they hit the top of the turn.  Started running well in the stretch to get by those out of gas, then late in the run, he was making nice progress, but would run out of time before really making the top three be concerned.

5th- 1- Bo Jangles (5/1)- It appeared as though the John Henry entry was going to start near the back of the field, but as he went around the turn he used his position along the rail to his benefit and advanced several positions.  The result would be a good track position in the backstretch, fourth, and just three lengths from the leaders.  Began waiting for him to strike, but at the top of the stretch, he drifted out a bit and seemed to just call it a day.

6th- 7- Asset Class (8/1)- The Sccj Stables entry seemed to have a tough time making up his mind if he wanted to run with the leaders early.  Appeared as though he was going to drop towards the rear of the field, but as they moved around the opening turn, he made a noteworthy advance to the second position.  During the backstretch and particular near the end of it, he seemed to be struggling, and was getting swallowed up by nearby rivals.  His performance in the turn was disappointing, and he dropped to the back.

7th- 5- Ned Isakoff (4/1)- Running for new trainer Smokey Stover, Ned Isakoff made old trainer Jerry Garcia Racing look good with this run.   Did not show much early on in the race, and would be near the back of the field as they moved around the opening turn.  He’s normally a closer, so there was no reason to be concerned quite yet.  At the top of the stretch, he trailed by eight, and surely that Ned Isakoff push was about to begin.  We’re still waiting for it.

8th- 6- Greet Poet (24/1)- The longshot from Hawaiian Shirt Guy started better then he would finish, seeming good out of the gate before setting in to the middle of the field.  Trailed by about six lengths at the end of the backstretch portion.  Faded all the way to the back by the end of the turn, making the fourth race in a row that he has finished dead last.

Track: Fast
Time: :47   1:10²  1:34³  1:47³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 8 – 4 Paid 52.20
$1 Trifecta: 8 – 4 – 2 Paid 1,546.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES