2/10 San Vicente Stakes – Grade II
SA Race #8 7f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Three Year Olds.

1 Brady Is A Lady Sharis Stables Gutierrez Mario

This is a real consistent sort finishing first or second in each of her 4 starts to date. He seems equally at home on any going and has led in all his starts so far demonstrating some blistering early pace. My fear for him is that the seven furlongs may prove tough if he try’s to lead again today but if ridden with a little more restraint he could well be a real hope for the stables first win of the year.

2 Sweeping Up Drabfantasy Desormeaux K J

Just the one start for the one win and even though that was just a four runner statebred maiden you have to respect a horse that can win at that level on debut. He won that race on turf and switches to the dirt today but a sub 1.24 work at seven furlongs suggests he will act on this surface just fine. Its hard to place hm with so little to go on but a great draw will give him every chance.

3 St Louis D J C Racing Stables Roman E A

Bought for just under $100.000 pre race he improved dramatically like most do after his debut run to take a decent maiden in his second start. That win was over this trip and a 1.10 and 4 work for the six furlongs recently suggests he will be winning more races. That could be today or his next race but he gets a decent draw to work with here and hails from a stable that can turn out winners.

4 No Crap Wolfs Den Rosario J

Its funny the things you can get past the name censors, you can’t say bra but you can say Crap but regardless of his name he certainly has lived up to it with three wins from six starts. One wonders whether this is a bit of a hit and hope type entry as he hasnt got the works on the board and his form whilst OK doesnt scream stakes winner. Having said that he ran OK in the CA Cup Turf Sprint last time out and may have found some fairy dust in the ageing process so he is not without a chance.

5 Suddsbar Laga Lagastable Franco G

Only just managed to win his maiden at the free track last time and it looks hard to make a case for him beyond a hail mary entry. Good luck to the owner but i can’t see him winning.

6 Rainstorm Fractious Figueroa H

He was gelded after his first two efforts and has looked much improved since winning a maiden and allowance on this track, the last one over this trip. He showed plenty of heart in that last start running on the speed and holding on by a nose and with works right at the top end of this field he must rate a major chance.

7 Liberty Allinthegate Talamo J

four runs for two wins and Cherokee Sunset as his sire suggest this one is way above average. The only question mark will be this is his first ever start on dirt so effectively we have little form to go on but he has looked very good on the grass and many more horses at HRP than in real life seem to be able to switch surfaces with some success. He should run well but until he proves himself he would be a risky betting proposition.

8 Gun Down Mb Stables Van Dyke D

A real consistent sort he has won two from six and is working in the ‘winning window’ of 1.10 and 4 which seems the benchmark. He won nicely in lesser company on seasonal debut and if he can overcome the widish draw then he will be a factor in the race.

9 Socotra Island Nynl Stables Smith M E

This is one of two runners who have good black type form that sets them a little apart from their rivals. The only trouble is they are both drawn wide which brings all the others into the race making this once a again a bit of a lottery in trying to find a winner. He ran well last year taking an ungraded stakes and winning two other races but it was his seasonal debut that really speaks volumes about his chances. Keeping on strongly from a similar draw he ran fourth beaten just a length in the Sham Stakes and has since put down a 1.10 and 1 work which is crazy fast for a three year old in January. If he can negotiate the draw he has a big chance.

10 The Pride Of Simba Maxmillion Farm Stevens G L

He improved nicely after being bought last August winning his last two, one of which was in the mud. He may find this trip just a little short of his best and the draw wont help much but the stable is in fine form and he has done enough to warrant consideration.

11 Di Bug Night Rider Stables Bejarano R

The other runner with the form on the board he has won four from seven including the grade three Hopeful Stakes. He seems to be able to run from pretty much anywhere in the field which will help with the car park draw and a recent sub 58 second work for the five furlongs suggests he is ready for his seasonal debut.

SUMMARY

I would be making this between Socotra Island and Di Bug if the draw was upside down but the draw acts like a handicap at HRP and pulls this field together making it virtually impossible to pick a winner. This isnt the strongest field of three year olds though so i am taking Socotra Island to overcome the wide draw and take the victory. Of the others, well throw a blanket over them at the end.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES