The 20th Running of the G3 San Juan Capistrano
Sunday, June 18, 2023
SA Race #2 $100.000
3+ 121/124 Lbs (plus penalties) 11/2 (T)
#1 Lantern Yard (Avenue Z/U. Rispoli 124): Colt had a productive sophomore season and was running competitively at this level late in the year. For whatever reason, that form hasn’t continued this season. He needs some help on the front end to set up his late kick, but he doesn’t appear to be a huge fan of this iteration of the engine.
#2 Panther High (First Flight Stable/D. Van Dyke 124): 6yo veteran was claimed for $15.000 three back and ran well in his first effort for this outfit. He regressed last out, but he has shown that he can handle this trip. Before the claim, he was showing speed going long on the main track, but, in his two latest efforts he’s been well back. If he can find his happy place, he could, potentially, make some noise here.
#3 Sappy Choice (Night Rider Stables/M.E. Smith 124): Another 6yo, this gelding enters off of a win at GG, and he’s won three of his last six. Not as experienced/proven at this trip but he does have positional speed if called upon. Hasn’t been able to post consecutive good efforts, so he needs to break that trend; however, when he runs well, he likes to win.
#4 Whatchagonnado (Nakamura Stables/A. Ayuso 124): 2023 has been good to this 5yo as he’s running/working some of his best times. Had to share the win last-out in a $100.000 handicap at TUP after just missing the bob down at FG. He’s been effective using different tactics, so he could play a significant role in how this one is run.
#5 Show Me How To Live (Mo Mentum Farm/R.A. Vazquez 124): Gelding took a G3 in the last start of his sophomore season, but he’s been unsuccessful in two tries as a 4yo. In his two allowance tries he bested SA and WO fields two and four back, respectively. Another that has shown a versatile running style, he could be anywhere early.
#6 Hollywood Niner (Onlineracingclub.com/E. Maldonado 124): 7yo just missed last-out after making all the running in a one-mile $100.000 stake. He’s been doing split duties between racing down the hill and running in the mile division. In fact, he hasn’t gone this 12-furlong trip in almost four years. He does have the potential to find himself alone up top, just have to hope he still wants to go this far.
#7 Picked Her Up (Luz International/J. Bravo 124): 4yo gelding has been working his way through his first couple of conditions, and he looks ready to take this step. He appears to like stretching his legs in these marathon-type races as he 2nd three-back going this trip before winning at 11-furlongs two back. Obviously gets tested for some class here but have to like the way he’s earned this opportunity.
#8 Private Malone (Mo Mentum Farm/J. Valdivia Jr): Claimed for $15.000 five back, he’s been running on the main track in the four starts since. Gelding rallied from well back to just miss last-out, but he’s getting a lot more ground to work with here. Doesn’t have a lot of turf form, with one win from four starts on the lawn.
#9 Neds Influence (The Sidley Stud/L. Detorri 124): 4yo colt started his season with a win going a bit shorter trip in a FG G3 before just missing an a G2 at this trip. May have been 6th last month in a BEL G2; however, he was only beaten a length after rallying late. Gets a big boost in the saddle, and he’s working competitive times for quite some time.
#10 Anemoi (Mo Mentum Farm/A. Cedillo 124): Purchased for $100.000 just ten days ago, barn seeks some return on that investment here. 5yo gelding is a fan of the mile and a half configuration here at SA as he was a winner three back and a runner-up two back, and the time from those starts stack up very well here. Consistent sort seems to bring his running shoes wherever he shows up.
#11 Afterburner (Arindel/Mario Gutierrez 124): 5yo gelding was a BC participant last season, and he appears to be rounding back into form in his last two starts. Gets stuck out in the parking lot here, but he has shown an ability to produce a positive result with varying tactics. He got the most class of any horse in the field, and this may be where we see him re-establishing himself in the division.
Final Analysis: Despite the large field, there doesn’t appear to be a ton of pace signed-on for this. We’ll play it 9-11-7 but we’ll do so conservatively. Good luck to all of the runner’s in this year’s G3 San Juan Capistrano!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
