The Crocker Ggs entry is hoping to get back to her last seasons Gr. III Red Carpet Stakes winning form here at Santa Anita on Saturday, but first time start of the season rider Arroyo N Jr might be a little rusty in the irons. Hopeful the trainer has guessed right for this event.
- The Wiltshire Grade III – Purse $100.000
- Santa Anita Park – Fillies and Mares Three Years old and Up
- One Mile- Turf Course
- June 22nd, 2019
While this event is slated for Three years old and up, only four years and older have signed on the dotted line for this race. Eight hopefuls look to add this event to their career, and looking quickly at the names, looks like an interesting affair. Lets break down the field for this event;
1 Catch A Look ( Axeman ) Rider- Espinoza V. – Has been attacking the upper OpClm level of racing in her past five starts this season, earning a top three finish in each race. Ended last season capturing the $75.000 Shiraz at a mile on the grass over at Calder, her only stakes race in her twenty career starts. Does have seven career victories, all coming on the sod. This rider/horse have connected for a win in the past, so should be in the hunt for a share.
2 On The Square ( Crocker Ggs ) Rider – Arroyo N Jr – As mentioned earlier, this four year old bay out of sire Kavorka would definitely use her talents from the Red Carpet to win here. Two starts ago over this track and distance, she finished third to one who has come back to win the Gr. I Just A Game event, and the runner-up from that event is testing the waters on Saturday at MTH. Rider had a 4.6% win ratio over this track and surface last season, so could be tough. Underdog.
3 Infrastructure ( Our Athletes ) Rider- Prat F – After a failed attempt two starts ago in the Gr. III Appleton Stakes, this dark filly dropped back to a level she enjoyed in the past and placed second against Alw24.5 company. Rider and horse teamed up last season in the Gr. II San Clemente Stakes finishing two lengths shy in fourth as the even money favorite. Seems to be trying to make her way back to Graded company events, but she has a tendency to come up short. Will need her best today.
4 Nice Laff Phooey ( Maxmillion Farm ) Rider- Franco G – While this lone five year old mare has just one win in her past eight starts when she captured the Gr. III Marshuas River Stakes at GP in the early part of the season, the trainer recalled how Franco took this then filly to a victory last season right here at Santa Anita in the $150.000 SSM F&M Sprint race. While this race is an addition three sixteenth of a mile longer, she was closing in that affair, and the instructions may be the same today. Could be the Hidden gem.
5 City Never Sleeps ( Saratoga Stud ) Rider- Van Dyke D. – Trainers last Graded victory came earlier this season when Reach For A Latte took home the Hooper. This four year old sits right behind that one on his most active list, and he is hoping she has turned the corner. Made a better effort last time out in the CD Distaff Turf Mile over a soft footing. This was only her second start on the grass, and she just missed out in a photo in the Appleton. Has possibilities.
6 Chateau De Chambord ( John Henry ) Rider- Maldonado E – Has been away from the Graded company events since last November, and closed out last season with a two length victory in an Alw45 race. Has been try to rebuild back to this level once again this season, and while being post time favorite in her past three starts, she has only manage a victory most recently against OpClm40 company. Trainer may be stepping up to the plate a little too early with her here, so i am looking elsewhere for a winner.
7 Five Million ( TwinTowersRacing ) Rider – Smith M E – Took on the mile Gr. III Fox Stakes over Gulfstream’s inner turf course placing fifth, one length out. Has been concentrating her efforts in sprint events of late and seems to still be searching. Does seem to like to close against speed, but will she get that here at this longer distance. Trainer may attempt to win on the front, but many seem to shy away from lead instructions. I could be wrong!
8 Pennys Pearl ( Mb Stables ) Rider Velez J I – Lightly raced jockey in the irons and Top trainer seems to be giving him a chance to progress. Claimed victory two starts ago against OpClm62.5 company at an extra furlong, and is five of seven in the money on the turf. While she finished third in the Frankel Stakes to close out last season, her efforts in the Gr. II Sheepshead Bay event was not a fruitful. Hopefully she gained from that event and can use it to her advantage here.
Duffers Picks ( 4-1-5 )
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
