The CA Cup Sprint – NG
1/16/21
SA Race 6 6F – Dirt
Purse $150.000
Four Year Olds and Up

A maximum field of twelve California bred sprinters have been entered up for this years running of the California Cup Sprint. A very big and full field here and this is should be a very big race. Lets take a look at the field.

1. Pheonix Of Spain (11-4-2-1 $157.600), trained by Luz International

First up in the field here and this runner won the Harris Stakes up at Fresno last fall and last raced at Del Mar in the Grant Stakes where he was fifth. Likes to be close and from the rail post I think he could be in front in the early going.

2. Reckoning (19-3-3-6 $230.200), trained by Mo Mentum Farm

Second up in the field here and this horse will be shortening up to a sprint for the first time in a very long time. He is coming off of a short rest of only about two weeks. He looks like he may be a little outclassed in this field.

3. Stand In Line (13-5-3-1 $173.170), trained by Angelos Stable

Next up in the field here and this horse is coming into this race off of a fifth in an optional claimer. He did run second in a grade two back in the summer at Belmont and since then has fallen off a little. Could have a shot here if he can get back to that form.

4. Cherokee Twins (11-2-2-1 $114.100), trained by TwinTowers Racing

A winner two races back against statebred allowance company right here at Santa Anita. He won nicely that day and did not love the mud last out. He should be better with Cal breds but not sure if he is up to the task or not.

5. Mazula Halo (7-2-3-1 $120.300), trained by Maxmillion Farm

Coming out of the same race two back as the previous runner where he was second and then he was second in the Grant Stakes at Del Mar. Usually likes to come from very far back so I think he will be closing late.

6. Ferrari Pininfarina (19-6-5-2 $180.480), trained by Night Rider Stables

A recent claim right here and this horse won at Churchill where he won a fifty dollar claimer nicely. He likes to show speed most of the time so I could see him up in the mix in the early stages and be pressing the pace.

7. Glorious (43-8-9-7 $1311.780), trained by Spankys Barn

And another running coming out of the Grant Stakes where he ended up finishing third in there. It has been a while since he has found the winners circle but he has been knocking on the door. Could have a decent chance in here.

8. Black Scorpion (23-6-3-0 $362.980), trained by John Henry

Coming up to this runner in the field here and he is coming off of a second place effort in an allowance race at Charles Town. A very nice runner here and he could have a decent chance if he runs a big race here.

9. Verlander (9-1-3-1 $70.610), trained by Spankys Barn

Another runner in here for Spankys Barn and this horse just broke his maiden race two races back and then ran sixth in a stakes race at Keeneland. He is almost always in front early so surely he will be up setting the pace early.

10. Kingdom Heart (13-6-3-1 $167.730), trained by Ace Racing Stable

Another one who just was in the claiming ranks but he was a pretty good fourth in the grade one Malibu just in his last start. That was a very good effort so if he can repeat that run he could have a dang good shot winning here.

11. Highlines (15-4-2-4 $154.820), trained by Angelos Stable

Another entry for Angelos Stable right here and he was running in a low level claiming race way back last summer and has been improving since then. Coming out of some graded stakes races he could have an alright chance.

12. Cardinal Direction (27-6-1-5 $667.730), trained by T Boy Racing

Last runner in the field here and he is my runner. Won his last start in an allowance race at Sunland gate to wire. Hopefully he can work out a good trip from this bad post. If he does I think he could have a decent chance here.

13. Better Dream (7-2-1-1 $38.200), trained by Jkk Racing Stable

Scratched

Summary

A very competitive field and there are no standouts in this field. My top choice is going to be Glorious with the back class that he has but it was kind of a toss up. Good luck to all in the field here.

7-5-12-1

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