The 3rd Running of the SAR Oaks (G3)
August 8, 2021 15:20
SAR Race #8 $700.000 1 3/16 Turf
3YO Fillies 122 Lbs
Track Record-1:51.90 (Iron Nation-2020)
Stakes Record-1:52.55 (Too Scared To Party-2020)
One of the premier events for sophomore turf fillies takes place on Sunday at SAR where there is a field of eight signed-on for the third edition of the $700.000 SAR Oaks (G3). This race is now a Grade 3 after the previous editions were run for purse and black-type only. This race is the second leg of the recently conceptualized Turf Tiara (BEL Oaks-G1, SAR Oaks-G3, Jockey Club Oaks); a series of turf races for sophomore fillies. Team 7 Illusions conditioned the inaugural winner and Smokey Stover followed suit last year; jockeys A. Beschizza and M. Tunon were the winning pilots in the first and second editions, respectively. For this year’s renewal, we have five horses from the first leg of the Turf Tiara including the trio of Ice Crystal, Fangs Of The Storm, and Casting Couch Cutie who ran 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively, that day. Mb Stables will also bring back Hawaii County and Indecisive after they ran 5th and 6th, respectively, in the first leg. Those five will be joined by three “new shooters” on Sunday who will be looking to join the ranks of contenders in the Filly & Mare Turf Division. Without further ado, here is the field for Sunday’s $700.000 G3 SAR Oaks (Note: Trainers were asked the following “First, what went into your thought process for entering here; second, what are your thoughts about the post position draw and your jockey(s); and, lastly, if you could trade places with any trainer/horse in the race who would it be?):
#1 Spring Flight (Black N Gold Stable/I. Ortiz, Jr): Newcomer to these ranks shows a nearly unblemished turf record and is well-drawn for this. Since being claimed for $7.000 in early April, the daughter of Snakie has done nothing but win for her new conditioner. Those three races provided a textbook example of how to read the condition book and pick the spots that give them their best chance at being successful. Water definitely is deeper in this pool, but not many horses are sporting a five-race winning streak anywhere in HRP-land. Trainer’s Thoughts: 1. I was torn (for a few days, actually) between this spot and the NY state bred Liberty that ran yesterday. It was an easier spot with a smaller field, but my decision to go with the Oaks was two fold. I honestly think the further she goes, the better she’ll get, so I loved the 1 3/16 mile distance as opposed to the flat mile. And second, I figured let’s test her and see how good she really is. She won two in a row before I claimed her, and then stepped her up in each of her last three starts. She’s passed every test, so let’s see what she’s really got! 2. The rail is fine. Especially going that far. Saving ground early will be good, and I imagine she’ll have to come off going into the far turn and loop most of the field to have a chance. Every now and again it works out and you can just stay there and win closing up the rail, but not too often. Irad Ortiz, Jr. was my first choice, so I’m thrilled with the jock. 3. Lots of nice fillies in here, as you’d imagine. Smokey Stover looks to have the horse to beat, but if I’d trade places with anyone, it would be Arindel, who has two very capable fillies that have an equal shot at taking it.
It should be a dandy, and I’m very excited to have an entry! Good luck to all!
#2 Chili One (Chili King Stables/P. Lopez): Continued her current good run of form with that last-out 2nd in the G3 Matchmaker on July 17; that made it five exacta finishes in six 2021 starts. ON-bred daughter of Notorious One had “easier” options available, so bears taking note of her presence in here. Hasn’t beaten these types yet, but she has been knocking on the door and has the potential to upset an apple cart or two in here. Needs to prove it at this level, but can’t be dismissed from the bottom of the exotics. Trainer’s Thoughts: Unavailable.
#3 Ice Crystal (Smokey Stover/E. Jaramillo): Winner of the G1 BEL Oaks in her latest will find herself surrounded by new faces in the gate on Sunday. Prior to that graded breakthrough, the daughter of State Police had been patiently-handled this year as she worked her way up through the ranks. Lots of positive momentum coming into this and looks poised to take control of this division with another win. Trainer’s Thoughts: 1) She is coming off a tremendous win last out so I just wanted to find the biggest race with the biggest purse in her division. 2) Got a great jock and great post so no excuses! 3) I wouldn’t trade places with anyone but Fangs Of The Storm scares me the most!
#4 Break From Holly (Nakamura Stables/V.R. Carrasco): Homebred daughter of Hollywood Latte tries the turf again after racing against the best of her generation on the dirt. Did make a nice run to get 3rd the last time she was on the lawn at the end of January in the G3 Sweetest Chant before making five starts on the main course. Has the look of an “all-or-nothing” type so difficult to predict which lass will show up on Sunday. Trainer’s Thoughts: She’s capable of handling both surfaces and she’s matured nicely and should show her best effort in the Oaks. Love the post position, can’t ask for better. I believe most would say they would trade places with Smokey’s Ice Crystal, but I’m not. I’m content with Holly and look forward to her future opportunities.
#5 Hawaii County (Mb Stables/J.K. Court): Z Jinxed One filly is one of two entered by her trainer and has found a home in this division. Prior to running 5th in the G1 BEL Oaks she took both the $100.000 Memories Of Silver and G3 Regret Stakes going 8.5 and 9 furlongs, respectively. Set the early tempo last month from the rail but she has run her best when she has had a target to focus on. Hard to toss out, but she will need to find more if she wants to turn the tables on these gals on Sunday.
#6 Indecisive (Mb Stables/D. Davis): Second part of the Mb Stables entry got stuck in the parking lot when drawn 14th in G1 BEL Oaks, so she has already improved her chances for success with this draw. That effort was the first try in a turf stakes for the daughter of Worst Case Scenario, so she definitely has license to improve off of that experience. Based on her dirt form, would expect her to be much more involved early on than she was last month and that could lead to a big performance. Trainer’s Thoughts: Both fillies I entered were competitive in the BEL Oaks despite some less-than-ideal race circumstances so I felt they deserved another chance at the top flight turf route fillies in here today. It’s a small field so the posts aren’t a big concern, I’m more concerned with how the race may shape up as it seems several in this field want to do the same thing and that can crowd a race even in a short field. I got jockeys that I wanted in both cases they were aboard the fillies for their last win. There are some nice fillies in the race but Ice Crystal and Fangs Of The Storm seem a class above I wouldn’t mind having either of those two coming into the race.
#7 Fangs Of The Storm (Arindel/Mario Gutierrez): 2021 has been very good for this Commanding The Storm filly with six trifecta finishes from seven starts and $449.090 in earnings. Ran a good 2nd in the G1 BEL Oaks last month and took the G2 Edgewood back in April. Consistently involved early and stays every trip, so would expect nothing different on Sunday. Pretty strong first punch for the barn’s 1-2 combo. Trainer’s Thoughts: Fangs of the Storm is one that has been extremely productive for me, thinking that the longer the better for her.. Was really looking forward to her in this summer series of turf routes. Unfortunately she drew on the outside in the Belmont Oaks, and again in the Saratoga Oaks she drew the outside again.. Thankfully with a smaller field, post 7 isn’t as bad as the 10. I’m happy with Mario Gutierrez, he’s won on her and is one of the premier turf riders in HRP. Sure would be nice to be drawn on the inside with her, I have high hopes for her and the rest of her career, but it is a longer race, hopefully she can find a way to save some ground!
#8 Casting Couch Cutie (Arindel/M. Garcia): 2nd entrant from Arindel comes here after running 3rd in the G1 BEL Oaks. The run before that, the daughter of Shark Force took on older males in G1 Shoemaker Mile and only ran the last part of the race. This ask appears to be much more in her wheelhouse, so no reason to expect anything less than a big performance. Last month’s try looks even better when you take her post into consideration that day. Any improvement and she can stamp herself as a major force in this division. Trainer’s Thoughts: Casting Couch Cutie was a claim for me early as a 2yo that went on to have a great finish to her 2yo year, winning the G1 Summer at Woodbine and just missing wiring the field in the BC juvenile fillies turf. She got off to a rocky start this year at Gulfstream in her first races after the BC placing, right when the new engine came out, she just didnt seem to have the same gate speed as she showed “pre-engine”. After the 2 disappointing efforts I tried to get some confidence back in her and she won an allowance, which seemed to turn things around.. after winning the G3 Senorita, we tried to go against the older males thinking a mile might be her best and she flopped. Took at shot going longer in the Belmont Oaks, with her conformation I just assumed she might not stay that long, but she did, with a wide trip. She ran extremely well.. I wish she drew to the inside, but she’s also drawn outside again.
Final Analysis: Really tough to pick against last year’s winning conditioner, but it says here that they cross the wire 1-3-6-4 but any result would not be a total shocker. Good luck to all and thank you for all of the players who took the time to provide their insights on the $700.000 G3 SAR Oaks!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
