GII – San Diego Handicap

$200.000 1 1/16th Mile Dirt Graded Stake For Three Year Olds & Up

The San Diego Handicap went off with a field of eight after Sanny Village’s Stranger was a late scratch. As they loaded in the gate Captain Rush was the post time favorite at 3/1 with Ocean Cookie and Pinnacle West just behind him on the tote board.

When the gates swung open the four year old grey gelding Ocean Cookie burst out quickest with Thats The Truth. As they went around the first turn jockey Franco M sent Make A Fortune around the far outside of everyone and took a few length lead as the hit the backstretch with Pinnacle West, Thats The Truth, Ocean Cookie and Final Tune in hot pursuit. First Rebellion, King de Bois and Captain Rush formed the trailing pack.

All the way down the back stretch Make A Fortune maintained his few length lead over a tightly packed rest of the field.

As they went around the final turn the back of the pack started making their move, the pack included King de Bois, Final Tune, First Rebellion and Captain Rush. Hitting the home stretch First Rebellion was finally able to get some running room after being blocked in much of the race and used the final half furlong to pull away from the field for the victory. Pinnacle West was able to poke his head in front with a furlong left but wasn’t able to hold on, still finishing a strong second. Also hitting the board was the second entry from Mb Stables, Final Tune who was one of the ones quickly closing late. Our pace setter most of the race, Make A Fortune took home the smallest check for his efforts. Rounding out the field in order was King de Bois, Captain Rush who struggled to keep up as the favorite, as he was stuck going wide and had by far the longest trip around the track and Thats The Truth, Ocean Cookie round out the field.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES