CA Cup Derby
SA Race #5 1 1/16m Dirt Stake
Purse $200.000 For Three Year Olds Foaled In CA.
1 A Beagle Named Boo LionKing Stables Gutierrez Mario
Unusually for a horse that won on debut he was sold for only $1.000 last year and went on to repay that minimum investment with two more wins before being sold again, this time for a more reasonable $31.000. In his first start for his new trainer he ran a decent enough race to be second in the Mucho Macho Man keeping on for second. His works are pretty strong considering that was his first black type attempt but then there are horses running at the free track with these sort of work times so its not the guide it used to be. A good gate, if he gets into a stalk early on then he will still be there fighting at the end.
2 Big Dog Wolfs Den Desormeaux K J
Well beaten on debut he was then gelded and turned his form around with an impressive late run and a win in a maiden claimer at SA. He has some strong works to his name but still has something to prove at this level so despite a great draw and a decent jockey it is tough to be over confident about his chances.
3 False Command Fractious Figueroa H
A consistent sort at overnight level a sub 1.37 mile works has caused his trainer to aim higher for his second start of the season. He is guaranteed to get the trip but like a good few others has something to prove at this level.
4 Storming John Henry Prat F
Bought for a whopping $255 as a juvenile he has run in some top races and hadnt done too badly so whilst the price tag looked steep it was understandable with the carrot of the TC ahead of him. In his two starts for the new owner he has been pretty disappointing but atleast showed up in both the RP Mile and the Lecompt so has experience at a higher level. His works are strong and this drop in grade may see him repaying some of his debt.
5 Long Time Ago Mb Stables Roman E A
Two from two and unbeaten is always worth a look but both of those wins were at a lower level and he will have to prove he has the class gene today. A sub 1.37 work ticks a box and of course his trainer knows how to win a stakes race so there are plenty of good reasons to support him.
6 Sniper Aer Stables Blanc B
Won his maiden at SA gamely and was promptly bought for $105.000 and put away to grow and mature. In his first start for the new trainer and the first for a while he kept on well enough for fourth at overnight level but he will benefit from that run and will be sharper today.
7 Brief And Wonderous Fractious Smith M E
His recent sale price just shows how a three year olds price can be inflated with the TC round the corner and whilst he has looked honest enough in his three efforts to date he was probably purchased on his works times rather than his form. My only worry here will be that he is working better at six furlongs than a mile and i wonder if he is ready to go over a mile,
8 Matsue Castle Smokey Stover Baze T C
Took a while to break maidens but did so at DMR with a game nose win at the end of last year. With two runs and a win already this year he will be one of the fittest in the race and he is certainly working well enough to be a contender despite a nasty draw.
SUMMARY
This is a tough race to call with some showing promise at a lower level and others who have failed at a higher level. Long Time Ago may be the one here but there are plenty of chances and Matuse Castle may be the biggest danger.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
