SA 8 San Felipe Stakes (GII) [KYD]
$400.000 3yo 1 1/16m Dirt 122lbs
The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat… we used to hear that every weekend when Wide World Of Sports would come on, and it came to real-life on Saturday in the San Felipe Stakes (GII). Geronimo, sent off at 30/1 odds won by a length over 10/1 Groovy. Steak And Potatoes was a neck back in third while 2/1 post time favorite (and my top choice) Orion Nebula never lifted a hoof and finished last in the field of twelve.
The full field loaded up and was away from the gate under the cloudless Arcadia skies with Julius Caesar showing the way, Geronimo towards the inside, Boardwalk from the outside, Iron Return and Groovy between horses, then drop to the rail for Cold Case. A length back to the trio of Orion, Russian Capo towards the inside and Magical Emperor between horses, drop to the rail for Local Dude then to the outside for Raid Of The Mist
and Steak and Potatoes was the early trailer.
They moved around the clubhouse turn and onto the backside, now five furlongs to run and Boardwalk moved up to lead by three-quarters of a length. Iron Return to his inside, then a gap to Groovy on the outside of Julius Caesar who had secured a rail position. Geronimo and Cold Case between that pair, then a gap to Raid Of The Mist three wide, Magical Emperor between horses and Russian Capo on the rail. Another gap to Orion Nebula, Steak And Potatoes on his outside and Local Dude was now the back marker.
Down the backside and midway on the far turn, they moved past the five-sixteenths pole and Boardwalk continued to show the way by two. The foursome of Groovy, Iron Return, Geronimo and Julius Caesar chased the leader, then Cold Case in behind that group, Russian Capo continued to save ground Raid Of The Mist three wide, Orion Nebula between that pair, then another gap to Steak And Potatoes and Local Dude continued to trail.
Past the furlong marker, Geronimo split horses and was in front by a half length, Groovy continuing on with the leader, Boardwalk along the inside in striking position but down the outside, Steak And Potatoes was moving fastest and widest of all, with a foursome to his inside… the run to the wire was on!
Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, Geronimo continued his press and hit the wire in front by a length and taking the win. Groovy also showing heart and holding on for second with Steak And Potatoes in third and head back to Local Dude in fourth. Boardwalk was a tough-luck fifth, Cold Case sixth, Magical Emperor seventh, Iron Return eighth, Julius Caesar ninth, Russian Capo tenth, Raid Of The Mist eleventh and Orion Nebula closed this one out.
Geronimo is a 3yo gelded son of Pocono General – Mama Knows, by Knowledge Geek and he was bred by his owner, Nakamura Stables, in Cal. This was his second win from eight starts, his first stakes win and he now has earnings of $335.000. A huge performance on a huge stage… is it on to Louisville for this one?
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 3 – Geronimo | 63.70 | 36.00 | 16.70 |
| 4 – Groovy | 15.40 | 4.90 | |
| 10 – Steak And Potatoes | 3.70 |
Track: Fast Time: :23 :461 1:10 1:412
$1 Exacta: 3 – 4 Paid 280.20 $1 Trifecta: 3 – 4 – 10 Paid 723.30
Scratched: Appreciate, Lord City
Geronimo never far from the pace, responded when asked mid lane, won driving. Groovy sat behind the pace while showing good speed, good effort to the wire while no threat to the winner. Steak And Potatoes off a step slow, stayed will back until asked through the far turn, game effort. Local Dude lacked early speed, steady surge through the lane in a good try. Boardwalk used early speed to cross over and take command to mid-stretch, caught, tired. Cold Case saved ground, off the rail when asked at the top of the lane, no gain. Magical Emperor raced mid-pack while no threat. Iron Return broke alertly, just in behind the pace to the top of the lane, nothing left, tired. Julius Caesar sharp break, flashed speed, tired. Russian Capo never involved. Raid Of The Mist outrun. Orion Nebula outrun.
Categories: Grade II
