San Juan Capistrano Stakes – Grade III
 SA Race #3 1 1/2m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Hammerfest     Smokey Stover         Gutierrez Mario

A small field so this will be a tactical affair. This gelding has a great record of six wins from nineteen with over 1.5K in prize money, however you can’t help but be a bit disappointed with his recent performances. An amazing run of place finishes in top races culminated last year in a fine second in the BC Turf and it has to be said that if ever there was a case of bridesmaids disease then this one has caught it at the top level. I am not sure what to make of him, on the face of it he just looks a very very good plodder who just doesn’t have a finish to put away the top races however he also works five furlongs in less than 58 seconds suggesting that he does possess a top gear. In fact he is one of the very few that has gone below 1.34 in a turf mile work. So what to make of his chances here? Well it is a very HRP type problem because he should win on works and his best form but that doesn’t always happen when they have a case of seconditus.

2     Hollywood Dump       Night Rider Stables        Espinoza V

The winner of the Breeders Stakes over this trip last year he was put back to dirt after that despite a record of 4 from 7 on the grass. I have no idea why but back on grass i expect a much better show and would expect him to be right there at the finish.

3       Spankersville        The Sidley Stud           Gonzalez Ru

A solid sort and a good worker he has run much better than his form suggests. The few pounds he gets in weight allowance will put him in the race and a much better draw this time will certainly help.

4           Lillehammer          Invicta Group Llc         Prat F

An interesting entry because this four year old filly is carrying less than the three year old colt and working pretty close to most of her rivals. A solid winner over this trip in the Keertana last time she really does muddy the waters here.

5           Chaos Broke Out           Nakamura Stables          Pereira T J

Ran a super race to be third in the San Francisco Mile last time and this lightly raced sort has plenty of upside. Not the bets worker in the field but one feels he has just a little more progressive than some here.

SUMMARY

Well if Hammerfest runs to his works and his second in the BC Turf he will win this in a canter. If he does the usual and finds one too good it really could be any of the other four!

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES