The CA Cup Derby – NG
1/16/21
SA Race 8 1 1/16M – Dirt
Purse $200.000
Three Year Olds CA Breds

A field of eleven three year old California breds have been entered up for this years running of the California Cup Derby here at Santa Anita on an action packed race day. Lets take a look at this big field of eleven.

1. Angelino (5-1-1-1 $46.000), trained by Nakamura Stables

First up in the field here and this horse is coming into this race off of a last place finish in a grade two at Churchill back in November. Not a good effort in that race and not sure that he is up to winning this race.

2. [Rename1605] (7-1-3-1 $121.000), trained by Aer Stables

A runner who has been running on the turf in his last four starts including a god fifth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf. He has obviously shown he like the turf but he did break his maiden on the dirt. Should have a good chance in here.

3. In The Frey (4-3-0-0 $66.900), trained by Triple K

Up next in the field here and this runner is also coming off of a win in an allowance on the turf. He won a claiming race on the dirt before that. He is making up a big jump in class here and not sure if he is ready for that.

4. King Luka (4-1-0-0 $15.600), trained by Night Rider Stables

Maiden winner at first asking back in August but not even in the money since including an eighth place finish in the GS Juvenile last time. Just does not look to be this caliber and not looking too good for him to win this spot.

5. Into Pieces (7-2-0-0 $120.000), trained by Mb Stables

Moving onto this horse and he has been running with graded stakes company and he was fourth in his last two races. He is coming to statebred company and should have a very good shot in this spot if everything goes right.

6. Commander Of Dreams (1-0-0-0 $0.000), trained by Serenity Stables

A whacky entry here in my opinion as this horse had one start and run a subpar fifth at Turfway. His works have been very good but I just do not see him winning off of one maiden race and nothing else to show.

7. Royal Roil (5-1-2-0 $40.800), trained by Estero Farms

Another one that is coming out of the GS Juvenile right here where he ended up finishing fourth. Never been this far and will be stretching out for the first time. Going to have to run a huge race to upset this field.

8. Grand Assault (6-1-1-1 $53.960), trained by Iolaus Racing

Next up is this runner right here and he broke his maiden way back in early April last year and has been winless since. A couple good efforts but not sure if he is good enough to win this spot unless he runs a huge race.

9. Forever Thirsty (3-2-0-1 $49.200), trained by YME Stable

Coming to this horse next and he is coming into this race off of two wins in a row including an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream. He took to the mile distance last time and could have an outside chance here if he improves more.

10. Nashua (6-1-0-0 $23.230), trained by Fractious

First in the field for Fractious right here and he is coming into this race off of bad sixth in an allowance race on an off track so maybe that was his excuse. He will have to run a big race here for sure to have any shot.

11. Road To Success (5-1-1-1 $49.120), trained by Fractious 

Last in the field here and he is coming into this race off of a maiden breaking score against statebred company at Los Alamitos. He has a very bad post and never ran with horses this tough so do not see him winning here.

Summary

A very good field and some of these will probably show up in some triple crown prep races later on down the road. My top pick is Into Pieces as I think he could have a pretty good chance to win this. Good luck to all in the field.

5-2-9-3

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