6/21/2020

 3   SA     San Juan Capistrano Stakes (GIII)
  $100.000           3yo&Up              1 1/2m  Turf               3yo 121lbs  Older 124lbs +penalties

 You always pay attention when Mb Stables has a horse in one of these, but I went the wrong way as Momentus stayed close to the pace and went to the front when it counted, on the finish line, taking Sunday’s San Juan Capistrano Stakes (GIII) by three-quarters of a length, getting the mile and a half distance in 2:24.61 on the firm SA turf.  Bayou Quartier closed well to nab the second spot while pace-setter and 56/1 shot Maniaco del Controll had to settle for the third spot.

The field of twelve loaded into the gate from the top of the down-hill course, the flag was up and they were off…  Maniaco del Controll bounced right out to the lead from the outside, Zero Annuity and Momentus away well, Welcome To My World from the rail, Just Chillin on his flank and Bayou Quartier between that pair.  Speedy Ginger was next, First Class Male to his inside and Chaimagne from the far outside, then Plateau Ruckus, Hefner and Stallsome was the early trailer.

Across the main track and now nothing but conventional turf racing, we had a mile to run and Maniaco del Controll was in front by three.  Momentus caught three wide, Zero Annuity and Welcome To My World on his inside, then a gap back to First Class Mate also three wide, with Just Chillin between horses and Bayou Quartier on the hedge.  It was another long gap back to Hefner between horses, Speedy Ginger to the outside, Plateau Ruckus to the inside, Chaimagne and Stallsome was still the back marker.

The field made their way around the clubhouse turf and onto the backside, there was four and a half furlongs to run and long-shot Maniaco del Controll continued to control this one, leading by two and a half lengths.  Momentus continued to track the leader, Welcome To My World from the rail in behind that one, Zero Annuity on his flank, then a gap to Fist Class Male still racing wide, Bayou Quartier from the rail, Just Chillin between that pair, then a long gap back to Speedy Ginger, Hefner between horses and Plateau Ruckus from the rail, Chaimagne and Stallsome still at the back of the field.

Down the backside, around the far turn and to the top of the lane with three-sixteenth’s of a mile to run, Momentus up to look Maniaco del Controll in the eye, Bayou Quartier four wide and pressing forward, Welcome To My World cut the corner and had every chance from the rail, then a gap back to First Class Male trying to close five wide, Just Chillin and Zero Annuity side by side, Plateau Ruckus up the inside, Speedy Ginger four wide, then a gap to Hefner, Stallsome and Chaimagne shuffled back to trail.

Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish… Momentus with the lead, Bayou Quartier down the outside and gaining slightly with each stride, Maniaco del Controll still not done… but as they hit the wire, this was all about Momentus and he took the win by three-quarters of a length.  Bayou Quartier with a determined performance but had to settle for the place, while Maniaco del Controll stayed on well for third.  Welcome To My World used the rail position to take fourth, then a length to Just Chillin in fifth.  First Class Male was sixth, Plateau Ruckus seventh, Speedy Ginger eighth, Hefner ninth, Stallsome tenth, Chaimagne eleventh and Zero Annuity closed this one out.

Momentus is a 4yo gelded chestnut son of Moment Of Madness – Upon Stardom, by Red Rioja, and he was bred in CA by his owner, Mb Stables.  This was his fourth career win from twelve starts, and his first win of the 2020 season.  He now shows earnings of $166.080.

$2 Mutuel Prices: 

Track: Firm              Time: :48¹  1:12²  2:00²  2:24³
$1 Exacta: 8 – 2 Paid 75.70            $1 Trifecta: 8 – 2 – 11 Paid 1,312.50
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES