SA 7 San Carlos Stakes (GII)
$200.00 3yo&Up 7f Dirt 3yo 121lbs Older 124lbs
It was a sunny day in SoCal and the big horse did not disappoint… Con Artist sat well back in the field but swept up quickly to get into contention and carried that to the wire, scoring in the San Carlos Stakes (GII) by a length in a quick final time of 1:21.26 for the seven furlongs on the main track. Peculiar Sensation tried to make a race of it but could not get to the winner, settling for the second spot with Kill Command a length back in third.
The twelve speedsters got away from the gate with Marx On The Moon showing good early foot, Zombie City to his inside and Audioslave to his outside. A Beagle Named Boo was just in behind that trio, drop to the rail for Kiss The Snake and Blowberg. Malibu Moon in the middle of the track, Aussie Steel just to his inside, then Con Artist, Kill Command along the inside, Peculiar Sensation out wide and Shattered Pieces was the early trailer.
Down the backside and nearing the far turn with three furlongs to run, Marx On The Moon had skipped away to lead by three. Kiss The Snake between horses and giving chase, Zombie City on the outside of that one and Blowberg still hugging the rail. Another gap back to A Beagle Named Boo, Audioslave on his outside and Aussie Steel on his inside, Con Artist four wide, Malibu Moon on his inside and Kill Command saving ground along the rail. Shattered Pieces was next and Peculiar Sensation could see them all.
Around the far turn and to the top of the lane with a bit more than a furlong to travel, Marx On The Moon still in front by two and a half lengths, Kiss The Snake trying to press forward, Con Artist sweeping up widest of all and now looking like a threat, Zombie City to his inside with a real chance, Blowberg cut the cornier, A Beagle Named Boo with a clear shot, Kill Command looking for room along the inside, Audioslave loosing position, Peculiar Sensation out wide and feeling the whip, Aussie Steel back towards the inside, Malibu Moon needing to find more and Shattered Pieces at the back.
Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, Marx On The Moon was running out of gas and Con Artist went by like nobody’s business, hitting the wire first and securing the win. Peculiar Sensation closed with a rush and grabbed the second spot a length clear of Kill Command. A Beagle Named Boo was fourth, Kiss The Snake in fifth, Marx On The Moon tiring late to be sixth, Blowberg in seventh, Malibu Moon eighth, Zombie City ninth, Audioslave tenth, Shatter Pieces eleventh and Aussie Steel closed this one out.
Con Artist is a 5yo entire by No Doubt About it – Sheltered, by Haunted Steel, and he was bred by Mb Stables in ON. Acquired by private sale for $750.000, the BC Sprint winner now has nine wins from twenty-four starts and earnings of $2,2234,840, and certainly is a speed demon. It’s great to see him bounce back from that General George race and he looks set to make 2020 all about him.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 7 – Con Artist | 9.30 | 5.30 | 4.00 |
| 11 – Peculiar Sensation | 10.20 | 6.90 | |
| 3 – Kill Command | 10.30 |
Track: Fast Time: :221 :444 1:09 1:211
$1 Exacta: 7 – 11 Paid 107.80 $1 Trifecta: 7 – 11 – 3 Paid 1,427.20
Scratched: What Moon
Con Artist broke in hand, allowed to settle well back of the leader, swept up on the turn, caught the leader mid-lane and went on to score without challenge. Peculiar Sensation was take back after the start, no early speed, responded when asked into the lane, second best. Kill Command saved ground while well back, rallied, good effort. A Beagle Named Boo raced mid-pack throughout, evenly. Kiss The Snake was just in behind the leader, nothing left for the drive. Marx On The Moon broke alertly, set the pace to mid-stretch, tired. Blowberg mid-pack, saved ground to no avail. Malibu Moon was never a threat. Zombie City broker alertly, flashed speed chasing the leader, tired. Audioslave broke well, stopped. Shattered Pieces was never involved, outrun. Aussie Steel raced mid-pack for a half, tired.
Categories: Grade II
