The 20th Running of the G2 TS Turf Sprint
Saturday, May 6, 2023
CD Race #9 $500.000
3+ 118/124 Lbs 5.5 Furlongs (Turf)
Course/Stakes Record-1:02.07 (Cold Weather Rider/Kid Commander-2021)
#1 Creepy Rocky Party (Mb Stables/L. Saez): 4yo gelding didn’t have the best outing to close out his sophomore campaign in the BC; however, he’s come back strongly this season. Two runner-up finishes sandwich two wins (including G3 San Simeon), and he’s less than a length and a half from being four-for-four. Draws perfectly to utilize his early foot and should be a major factor in here.
#2 Upcharge (Mojica Racing/J.J. Hernandez): 5yo gelding found success in back-to-back wins going down the hill at SA and will step into the graded ranks for the first time here. While he finished 10th in the ’22 finale, he hasn’t been beaten more than a length in any start since September and has been ITM in all three of his starts this season. Latest two efforts saw him more involved early and he’ll need to kick it into even higher gear to utilize those tactics here.
#3 Albaquirky (Santan Stables/F. Geroux): Late-running 5yo enters off of a win in the G2 Shakertown just down the road at KEE and appears to be in career-best form. Has been a different animal in ’23 and he has continued the positive vibes with some very good work in the mornings as well. Inside pair should outbreak him and that would allow him to quickly find the rail and settle into his stride. Appears to be turning into a monster, and he should get plenty of pace to set up his rally.
#4 Cinnamon Strike (Smokey Stover/Mario Gutierrez): 6yo gelding has taken 27-trips to the starting gate, and 26 of them have seen him go a route of ground. His only try at sprinting was the victory two back where he rallied to win going down the SA hill. Hasn’t been very active in the mornings, and he has to conquer this 5.5-furlong trip; however, this trainer makes few mistakes with his placement and inner half respect from just off the pace.
#5 Shelbags (Lindeman Prairie/J.R. Velazquez): 8yo is still kicking tail with two wins in his last four starts. He competed in the BC last year, and when he draws in the inner half of the field, he usually runs a bang-up race. Poor guy has caught an off-track in five of his last six starts, and, while the two-back win came over soft ground, that hasn’t been his preferred track condition. Gelding’s versatility should give his jockey some options and wouldn’t expect a drop off in form anytime soon.
#6 Shadow Minister (Witeout Stables/F.T. Alvarado): Gelding has run at SA three times to start his ’23 but has yet to find the winner’s circle. The seasonal bow came on the main track, and he didn’t get much done; however, the last two starts, both down the hill, were much more what we’re used to seeing from him. Turf form, overall, is fine with two wins and three runner-up finishes, but this is a whole new level of competition he is stepping into the fray with here.
#7 King Ranch (South Shore Stables/R.W. Walcott): 6yo has been handled carefully as he’ll “only” be making the 28th start of his career. Contested the pace in a 5f sprint on the FG turf before finishing two lengths back in a DH for 5th. Last out was an improved performance as he was only beaten three-quarters of a length in a one-mile G3 at SA. Cuts back to sprinting, 0-7 routing, and appears to be equipped with enough early foot to at least stay in touch with the leaders early, and he did take a G3 last year going down the SA hill.
#8 Cherokee Raj (Night Rider Stables/L. Dettori): 6yo gelding has been on the wrong end of three straight close finishes as he’s been third each time while losing by less than a length. Ended ’22 going 6.5 at SA before stepping-up nicely with gritty efforts in the Colonel Power and G2 Shakertown where he was beaten three-quarters and a half-length, respectively. Homebred has had his chances in these spots, but he may just be hitting peak form as he readies for the 29th start of his career.
#9 Z Baby Blue (Asgar/P. Lopez): 5yo is in career form with three consecutive wins where he’s stepped up from $50.000 claimers to back-to-back $100.000 stake victories. Has to work out a trip from this penultimate gate; however, he has the gas to clear quite a few of these before reaching the turn. Trainer knows how to keep one rolling along and have to think his charge enters full of confidence for his biggest test to date.
#10 Top Of The Crop (Maxmillion Farm/A. Jimenez): 5yo gelding’s last turf start came back in January of ’22. That was the end of a three-race run on the lawn, and he’s competed on the main track for his last six tries. He faced some high-class competition three and four back before going on the shelf and was only beaten a length when 7th to start ’23 before wiring SA allowance runners last time. Trainer knows what it takes to win on the grass, regardless of the distance, so he commands respect with this entry.
Final Analysis: Can’t overlook anyone in here, but we’ll call it 3-1-5 in the G2 TS Turf Sprint. Good luck to all involved in this, and all of your races this weekend!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
