San Vicente Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
SA- For Three Year Olds
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
February 10, 2018

The 15th running of the San Vicente Stakes took place at SA, and a nearly perfect gelding stepped up for Gdp Inc. Jerry Bien came into the race having won four out of five career starts, but had not really taken on a strong field quite yet. As such, not many people in the game were familiar with him. After this win, he will establish himself as a threat on the TC trail. Not only did he pull off the win, he seemed to have no problem in the latter moments, showing that he should be able to keep extending out. The San Vicente, every year, is good for catapulting a horse like this into the TC Chase, and perhaps the KYD itself. Gdp Inc hinted that he may be targeting the Gotham at AQU next month, and that seems to be a wise plan. For the trainer, this was their first career win in the San Vicente, and that is true also for the jockey, E A Roman. The time of the win was 1:22.02, a tad slower then the past three years, but it was all that was needed. Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :22.65)- No one in the field seems to be particularly shot out of the gate, but after about a furlong, I Need A Nap wakes up first and takes the advantage by a length after a quarter mile for Mcl Stables. The filly, Flying Squirrel, battled with him a little bit for Angelos Stable, before dropping back a length and a half, as our pre-race pick, All Systems Go moved into the second position for Mo Mentum Farm. Sweeping Panther, Drabfantasy, was also in striking range of this group. Then it was another length back to our eventual winner, Jerry Bien for Gdp Inc. He had a clean start, and had a clear lane in front of him as he sat comfortably in the middle of the field. Denomination (Fractious), Fast Kruz (Brave) and Gronk (Mb Stables) ran at the back together, but were only four lengths from the lead.

(½ Mile- :45.58)- All Systems Go looks good on the backstretch, and takes the lead moving into the turn, giving her supporters a good jolt of confidence at this point. Otherwise, not too much was different. I Need A Nap was still in fine shape, as he was on the side of All Systems Go, and Flying Squirrel was on the outside. Sweeping Panther had a good stalking trip going on behind them. Like before, there was a gap between the first foursome and back foursome. Jerry Bien still led the next group, and was three lengths out. Denomination and Gronk were starting to creep up along the sides of him, while Fast Kruz stayed close as well.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- As we move around the turn and approach the top of the stretch, the four trailers all look to make moves around the front four, but it requires some shuffling between them to figure out who would go where. Jerry Bien, being in front, had the easiest decision, and would look to go to the outside. Denomination did not have it as easy, and after having thoughts of going up the middle, Mario Gutierrez saw the rail open up and pounced on it, which was a good move. Fast Kruz may have been thinking about that, and had to call and audible with his own path. No audibles were needed for Gronk as they broke the huddle into the top of the stretch, he would take the sideline route on the outside. The former front four all looked to be sitting ducks at this point. All Systems Go still led, but was vulnerable. One of them would need to have a second wind to hold off those who had been part of the back four.

(Finish- 1:22.02)- In the stretch, it would be Jerry Bien taking command of this race with a full, all-out drive, like a horse that knows how to win. It did not come easy, as Denomination was running very well along the rail, and Gronk was in good stride while immediately to his outside. Jerry Bien could not let up, and he did not, making me not really worry about seeing him continue to stretch out, should the Gotham, as suggested by the trainer, be the next option. Denomination got the nose up on Gronk for the second place photo and Fast Kruz ended up fourth. Making it a complete overtaking of the initial “front four” by the initial “back four” at the end. Flying Squirrel becomes the latest filly not to cash a check when running against the boys, finishing fifth, ahead of All Systems Go, I Need A Nap, and Sweeping Panther.

About The Winner- Jerry Bien, trained by Gdp Inc, and ridden by E A Roman, is a three year old gelding by B N Panther, and out of Jerry Garcia Sold. He was bred in the great breeding state of Pennsylvania by Gdp Inc as a first quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fifth in six starts, his second stake win, and first graded win. His career earnings are now $229.580.

Track: Fast
Time: :22³  :45²  1:09³  1:22

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 1 Paid 36.50
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 1 – 4 Paid 76.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES