Grade 3
Purse: $200.000
1 1/8 Mile For Three Year Olds and Upward at SA
After a wide trip and a disappointing 10th place finish in the BC Classic (G1), Dial It In changed hands for $400.000 and has won back-to-back optional claimers for his new connections. Now we’ll find out if he can get back to graded form. His biggest threat will come from Long River, a six-year-old gelding making his graded debut.
Here’s the field:
1 Dial It In
Owner: Smokey Stover
Breeder: Mb Stables
Four-year-old millionaire finished tenth in the BC Classic in a very rare misstep. In fact, in nine starts last year he only finished off the board twice He comes here off back-to-back wins in optional claiming company. Likes the distance. The one to beat.
2 Long River
Owner: Canadian Racing
Breeder: D J C Racing Stables
This six-year-old gelding had his best year in 2016, winning $234.400 in six starts. Hasn’t been worse than third since September 2015. Making his graded stakes debut. Should be a factor here and a win wouldn’t be a surprise.
3. Mach Force
Owner: Eastern Equine
Breeder: Gdp Inc
Another one coming in off back-to-back wins. Looking for his first graded win. Hasn’t competed at this level since last April when he finished 7th in the AR Derby (G1). Did finish second in the El Camino (G3) last February, but he will need to step it up to compete against some of these.
4. Game Time
Owner: Kopites
Breeder: Bigking
Has been successful in high-level allowances on turf and won the $75.000 Showing Up, also on turf. Another one making his debut at graded level. Will need a top effort to get a win.
5. Mass Debatable
Owner: Stone Creek Farm
Breeder: Maverick Racing
Graded stakes winner finished second in the $75.000 Santana Mile here at SA last out. Very lightly raced in 2016 and has just two starts so far this year and hasn’t been able to hit the board in his last three graded attempts.
6. Sieur de Moon
Owner/Breeder: Barcelona Farms
Three-year-old colt taking on older. Only five career starts with maiden win and a N1X win here at SA. Tough spot to try stepping up to graded level. May need this one for experience.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
