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Loaded Gate – Loaded Field – San Felipe Stakes

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SA 8   San Felipe Stakes (GII) [KYD]

   $400.000        3yo        1 1/16m Dirt         122lbs

The Road To Louisville takes another step forward as a talented group of sophomores will be headed to the gate to compete in the San Felipe Stakes (GII) over the SA main track.  The gate should be full for this one as we have twelve and a duo of AE’s, as EVERYONE wants a shot at Kentucky.

I’m going with the obvious chalk today – Orion Nebula is on my short list for the KYD and he showed his skills again last out taking the Lewis Stakes (GIII) over this strip.  He has a ton of talent and should be the one to beat.

I’m going with Groovy in the second spot.  How do you not include the big barn in any stakes race?  He’s been tough since switching barns and should give the top choice something to run at.

My third choice is Russian Capo, as the barn continued to takes these claims and turn them into graded runners.  This gelding ran big closing efforts in his two races for this barn and I expect more of the same.

It’s a loaded field so let’s grab a cold one and head down to the rail.

Here’s The Field –

1
 Cold Case  Mb Stables  Gaffalione T 122 6/1

Nice closing effort to be second in the San Vincent (GII) over this track in his most recent.  His only off the board race was on the grass here in SoCal, but he’s been as consistent as you could ask.  Looks ready to fire another big one today.

2
 Local Dude  D J C Racing Stables  Velazquez J R 122 12/1

Broke maiden in Nov and it’s been an up-hill battle since then.  Off the board in NY-bred stakes then was seventh at TAM last out in the Davis Stakes (GIII).  He’s going to need to improve to be a serious factor today.

3
 Geronimo  Nakamura Stables  Gryder A T 122 9/1

Only a maiden win from his seven lifetime starts, but was second vs. Cal-breds at LA to close out ’19.  Tired to be fifth in the CA Cup Derby to get his ’20 season started, so he’s going to have to show more today.

4
 Groovy  Mb Stables  Beschizza A 122 4/1

A third and a second since changing hands over to Mb, and has tired in both of those races after doing all of the heavy lifting.  Can he learn to save some of that for the run to the wire or will it be another tiring effort here?

5
 Iron Return  Alydar Stables  Tunon M 122 6/1

A second and a fourth after changing hands, and sees a few familiar faces from the San Vincent (GII).  He was fourth in that race running evenly throughout, only getting beat by a length.  Will the added distance help him?

6
 Russian Capo  Aer Stables  Chirinos R 122 4/1

Another sneaky good claim from this outfit, and has been solid since changing hands.  Won the Allison Derby at SUN in his most recent and closed well to get the job done on that day.  You have to give him a serious look in this one as well.

7
 Magical Emperor  La Canada Racehorses  Bridgmohan S X 122 6/1

Nice win at AQU facing NY-breds in the Gander and showed a great late turn of foot in that race.  He seems to do his best work in a rally type of style, so let’s see if he can pull the same thing here.

8
 Orion Nebula  John Henry  Bejarano R 122 5/2

Love this guy… got the job done again last out to take the Lewis Stakes (GIII) over this track and at today’s distance.  He just missed on BC Day, so there’s no doubt that he has the ability to run with the best of them.  He should be tough as nails again today.

9
 Raid Of The Mist  Allinthegate  Ortiz I Jr 122 10/1

Was on a consistent streak up until the last pair where he has thrown a couple of complete duds.  Won the Grey Stakes (GIII) at WO in the slop, but was last of twelve to close out ’19 and then ran tenth to starts this season.  He’s going to have to turn the page.

10
 Steak And Potatoes  Tiratzo  Pennington F 122 4/1

Won the Smarty Jones to kick-off 2020 and sole after that race for a nice chunk of change, so obviously the new owners think a lot of him.  He did look good scoring over the OP track, and now it’s the next challenge.

11
 Julius Caesar  Maxmillion Farm  Cedillo A 122 8/1

Lightly raced and was gelded after than less than impressive run in the San Vincent (GII) last out.  Won both of his prior races, those coming over the bull-ring at CT.  He will need to overcome a tough post position as well.

12
 Boardwalk  Fractious  Lopez P 122 8/1

Sold after that fifth place finish at TAM in the Davis Stakes (GIII) but has a stellar record while facing NY bred horses.  Got a tough break on the post and will really need to bring his best to be part of this.

13
 Appreciate  Mo Mentum Farm  – No Rider – 122 AE

Broke maiden three back, won the Limehouse at GP then was up the track over this surface in the San Vincent (GII) last out.

14
 Lord City  Our Athletes  – No Rider – 122 AE

Broke maiden in Oct and hasn’t done much since.  Was third in an Alw race at GP but kicked off  2020 with a tenth place finish in the Withers (GIII).

COZMAN Picks  8 / 4 / 6     Willie’s Green Card  8 / 4 / 1      Scotty Picks    1 / 8 / 3

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Categories: Grade II