The 16th Running of the Vigil Stakes-G3

August 1, 2021 13:20

WO Race #1 $150.000 6 Furlongs Dirt

4YO+ 122 Lbs (plus penalties)

Track Record-1:07.94 (Brandy Punch-2012)

Stakes Record-1:08.81 (Diplomatic Envoy-2018)

For horses with BC aspirations, it’s now or never in terms of getting points for qualification.  With four points available to the winner, as well as the $150.000 purse, Sunday’s G3 Vigil Stakes could prove a launching pad for a run to the BC Sprint.  This year’s renewal drew ten entrants for this six furlong contest and while there is no clear-cut favorite, there is quality throughout.  Here’s the field for the $150.000 G3 Vigil Stakes at WO:

#1 Absolute Immunity (Winning Link Stables/J.R. Velazquez 122): Came off the bench to score in an ALW at TUP.  Withh his first race in six months behind him, he tried CA-bred stake foes and just missed in the Thors Echo.  Seems to prefer to come from off of it so he’ll have to navigate traffic and hope he can time his run just right.

#2 Shaky Sight (Gdp Inc/J. Stein 122): Winner of consecutive 7-furlong ALW over this course shortens-up looking to make it three straight.  Seems to have found his niche with these dirt sprints after nine straight runs on the lawn.  Has tactical speed to be close early and should have enough to present a real challenge in the lane.

#3 Admire (Angelos Stable/E. Jaramillo 122): Will be making his 10th start of 2021 and looking for his 3rd win of his 4yo campaign.  Was a length back here on June 12 in the G3 Bold Venture when he could only manage to get 5th before scoring at CT in an ALW.  Another with enough early foot to be in touch with the leaders, but have to wonder at what point the workload will become too much.

#4 Iguacu Falls (D J C Racing Stables/L. Contreras 122): Makes his 4th consecutive start against graded foes, but has found the first three attempts a tad too tough.  Did rally to be 4th in the aforementioned G3 Bold Venture and gets a positive pilot switch for this.  With his style, he will need to time his run and hope no one impedes his progress once he commences.

#5 Mr Charming (Fractious/D. Moran 122): Claimed for $50.000 in May and immediately paid dividends for the new barn when he was able to hold on in the $100.000 Thors Echo.  Looking to make it three straight and may be quick enough to clear and establish the pace if asked for run early.  Seems to be hitting his stride and commands respect in here.

#6 Pheonix Of Spain (Night Rider Stables/S.R. Bahen 122): Claimed for $15.000 at the end of February and returned to the races as a winner in a LS ALW on May 30.  Conditioner just won the Real Good Deal with a similar claim, so he must be respected.  Looks to have a ton of early foot and have to imagine his best hope may be to try and wire this group.

#7 Sweet Sweet Sweet (Night Rider Stables/R.M. Hernandez 122): Second entrant from the Night Rider Stables barn and this one’s running style looks to benefit from his stablemate’s early speed.  Hasn’t been beaten by much in his last three tries against graded sprinters the pace scenario seems favorable for him in here.  If Hernandez gets it right, could easily see him running them down late.

#8 Real One (Nakamura Stables/G. Boulanger 122): Sold privately for $50.000 back in March, but has two off the board finishes for the new barn in his two starts since.  Did run much better at ELP than he did in the LS debacle, so maybe the new conditioner has gotten him figured out.  Still, this looks to be a tough ask and he isn’t drawn advantageously.

#9 Gothic Heart (SamIam/S. Ryan 122): Makes his 12th consecutive start in a graded dirt sprint.  Was good enough to run in the BC Sprint last year and has been running better as of late with three consecutive board hits.  This post doesn’t help him, but he looks to be 3-4 wide in the 2nd flight at worst; if that is the case, this one could prove best by the time they hit the wire.

#10 Chip Away (South Shore Stables/S.X. Bridgmohan 122): Comes here looking for his first win of 2021 after four unsuccessful starts so far.  Form has tailed-off since January and this post does him no favors.  Hard to get a trip from out here and this guy would need significant improvement as well as the perfect trip to get a piece of this.

Final Analysis: 9-7-4-5 Good luck to all of our contestants in the 2021 $150.000 Vigil Stakes from WO!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES