San Felipe Stakes – Grade II
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Graded Stake Purse $200.000 Three-Year-Olds. At SA

1st      Quantum Pursuit               Mb Stables                *9-2 (HRP) 6-1 (SRF)

Well, I called Quantum Pursuit the dark horse; HRP called him the favourite. He certainly had the credentials to make him the winner in this, only his fourth start, and the one that gets him his entry into the KYD. Impressive is his versatility as his first two starts were deep closes, and for the Grade III Lewis Stakes he switched to fireball pacesetter that almost won that win and you’re in race. Now, back to a deep closing reprint of his maiden win to take this race by a perfectly timed head. Boy, this Derby is going to be a blast!

2nd      Bank Robber                  Our Athletes            9-2 (HRP) 5-1 (SRF)

What can I say about Bank Robber? Once a claimer; never raced farther than seven furlongs; winner of three of four, all NY Bred restricted races; always a closer. He comes into a 1 1/16 mile Grade II qualifier, comes out of the gate tenth, comes into the stretch tenth and finishes second beaten only a head. Gotta hope he makes the Derby because this is the kind of character that race needs.

3rd      Heel Turn                         Bigchief Stables             12-1 (HRP) 3-1 (SRF)

Heel Turn is the horse I expected a lot more of than HRP did…and got it. He ran third in the Grade III Lewis Stakes after a long layoff, and now he runs a decent third here. His problem is he doesn’t have that deep closer kick. He’s a closer, all right, but he gets too far back for his slower late run. Once he works out his timing, he should be a real terror. Either that or go back to stalking like he did in his earlier races.

4th     Weaponize                     D J C Racing Stables          9-1 (HRP) 5-2 (SRF)

I mentioned in my preview that Weaponize showed his fondness for long runs with his win in the 1 1/16 mile Grade III Holy Bull Stakes, and here he closed consistently throughout the race, but seemed to be getting a bit leg weary toward the end. Have to keep an eye on how he does as they continue to stretch out.

Categories: BC 2026, Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES