The Kona Stakes – GII
4/21/19
SA Race 6 6 1/2F – Dirt
Purse $200.000
Three Year Olds and Up

And here we are for this years running of the grade two Kona Stakes over the distance of six and a half furlongs here at Santa Anita. A field of nine has been entered for this race and it is a pretty solid field for this race. It is a nice field and the race is pretty even. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Saturday Khartoum (18-6-2-4 $713.690), trained by Rousee

Well the first runner in the field right here is one of the top contenders to win the race in my opinion. He is coming into this race off of a third place finish in the grade two San Carlos. He also ran second in the grade one Cigar Handicap a few race back. If he brings his A game to the table he has a good chance.

2. Rioja Action (7-2-4-0 $32.200), trained by Fractious

A big step up in class right here for this horse as he just ran for seven dollars two races back. He was claimed that day and then won an allowance race in his last start at Sunland Park. He may have a chance but I am just not too sure if he is good enough to win a race of the caliber yet.

3. Cat Whisperer (17-7-4-3 $444.340), trained by Onlineracingclub.com

Next runner right here and this horse is coming into this race off of two turf races in a row. Before those though he did run sixth in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile and he also won the OBrien Stakes last summer. When he runs his best race he is a very good and I think he will have a chance in here if he runs big.

4. Niko Niko (10-3-2-2 $83.170), trained by Wolfs Den

A three year old right here facing the older runners. This horse enters the race off of a win in an allowance race that was down the hill on the turf. His best races have come on the turf in my opinion and I think that it is his preferred surface. But sure if he will have much of a chance in this spot.

5. Con Artist (16-6-2-3 $634.840), trained by Mb Stables

Now right here is a horse who likes this Santa Anita surface. He won the grade one Santa Anita Sprint Championship last year and he also competed in the Breeders Cup Sprint. He likes this track and he is a very talented horse of course. If he runs his race he will have a very good chance to win.

6. Barbary Appeal (16-4-5-1 $187.460), trained by Nakamura Stables

The next runner in the field right here is coming into this race off of a win in the Thomas Memorial Stakes at Sunland Park. It was the same distance as this race so he does like the distance. It is a pretty big step up in class but I think he is improving. He will have to run a big one to win of course.

7. Along For The Ride (21-4-4-4 $289.420), trained by Fractious

Here is the second runner in the race from trainer Fractious. This horse has been rock solid in starter stakes with a win in the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit and a second in the Caica Electronica. This is a big step in class but he is strong on the work tab and I think he is a pretty fast horse who might have a longshot chance.

8. Call Me Godd (11-3-0-4 $175.680), trained by Sir Daniel Martin

The only other three year old in the field right here and this runner is making a cut back in distance. He has been trying to route but he hasn’t been able to crack through except in a starter allowance race. He likes to come from way back so a very fast pace will help him a lot.

9. Walkin Broomstick (22-7-3-2 $440.000), trained by John Henry

And the final runner in the field right here is this horse and he will be making his first start for trainer John Henry. He is coming off of two fifth place finishes in allowance company at Sunland and Parx. He is a stakes winner and when he runs his best he can have a chance in here I think.

Summary

It is a pretty nice field for this race I think and there is a lot of chances for sure. My top two picks are going to be Con Artist as my top selection and then Saturday Khartoum. They seem like the best two in the field to me and they should both be pretty tough. Good luck to all in the field.

5-1-3-6

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES