San Marcos Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
SA- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Quarter on the Turf
February 4, 2017

After finishing second in the BC Turf at odds of 66/1 here at SA, Cju had the betting public far more confident in his ability to win the San Marcos, making him a 3/2 favorite.  He wasn’t our pick in the SRF, but honestly my pick was made to try to beat him more then anything else.  This is his fourth win of his career, and you have to be really optimistic about his chances this season because of his current form, at least until later in the year when he starts racing against three year olds with massive weight allowances.  Combined with Exactly As Planned, we’re going to be hearing a lot from trainer Maxmillion Farm in these long turf races this year.  For the trainer, it is his first such win in the stake, and the same holds true for jockey E Maldonado.  Congratulations to the winners!  The time of the race was 2:00.14 on a turf course that came up listed as good, and not firm.  Let’s look more at the result!

1st- 1- Cju (3/2)- Our eventual winner, from Maxmillion Farm, got off to a fine but unhurried start, and would find himself in the middle of the field as they moved down the frontstretch the first time, staying about two lengths from the leaders.  He would advance to second early moreso because Still In Check decided to back off.  Stalked the leader in the backstretch, and as Still In Check dropped further, Cju and Gallivant started to put some considerable distance between themselves and everyone else.  Positioned himself for the winning move near the end of the backstretch, but because Gallivant would not go away without a fight, he would not take the lead into the top of the stretch.  Once in the stretch, he began to gradually pull away from Gallivant, and even though Valar Morghulis was started to loom as a contender, it seemed as though he would not have time to catch Cju as long as Cju maintained his form.   That is how the closing moments would play out as E Maldonado made sure Cju stayed strong to get the win! The time again was 2:00.14.  Cju is a five year old autogen horse, bred in Ontario by Maxmillion Farm as a fourth quarter two year old.  They have been together throughout! Congratulations again!

2nd (dh)- 3- Valar Morghulis (6/1)- Got off to a rather uneventful start for trainer Gdp Inc, content to hold his ground in the front stretch, spotting the leader about four lengths.  Cruised along for the first half of the race, but started to show his intentions to move forward as they approached the end of the backstretch run.   Had 2 ½ lengths to make up on the top two as they hit the top of the stretch, and it seemed like it would be a tough task.  Then with just a furlong to go, and two lengths to make up, he dug down deep and gave everything he could.  He came on strong, and not only caught Gallivant for a share of second, but made up some nice ground on Cju that might make you wonder what would have happened if there was another furlong.

2nd (dh)- 4- Gallivant (6/1)- Our pre-race pick from John Henry got off to a strong start from the gate, and would open a lead of about two lengths as they moved down the front stretch the first time and into the turn.  Ran a half mile in :47.92 with same two length cushion, now to second place Cju, at the top of the backstretch.  Six furlongs would go in 1:11.68 as Cju drew closer but the two of them pulled away more from the others.  Hung tough in the turn, and was still even with Cju at the top of the stretch.  With a furlong to go, he had lost his chance to win, but it seemed good that he would hang on for second, outright.  A valiant run by Valar Morghulis allowed that one to hit the line at precisely the same time, creating the dead heat.

4th- 2- Grande Sournoise (4/1)- The rested entry from Drabfantasy was not interested in the early pace and seemed to start conservatively.  He would be at the rear in the early moments, trailing by about five.  Kept waiting for him to make his move in the turn, but just could not seem to be able too, as he had a hard time passing the tired out Still In Check.  It was a run that would never come.

5th- 5- Still In Check (2/1)- Quick out of the gate for trainer Kopites, and showed an early desire to run with Gallivant before seeming to call off the pursuit not too long after they hit the start finish line the first time.  Had no response when Valar Morghulis passed him for third late in the backstretch, and would come up empty in the stretch.

Track: Good
Time: :47⁴  1:11³  1:35³  2:00

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 3 Paid 17.50, 1 – 4 Paid 8.30
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 3 – 4 Paid 148.30, 1 – 4 – 3 Paid 59.90

Scratched: Prince Of Wales(L)

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES