SA Sprint Championship – GRADE 2 – $200.000
SA – For Three Year Olds and Upward
6 Furlongs – Dirt
October 1, 2022
While there is no clear favorite in this contest, there are several entries with the talent to get the job done, which should make for an exciting race.
#1 Play Along (Nakamura Stables) Winner of the $65.000 Bud Special last out. Only one off-the-board performance in the last six months and that came when he tried to step up to graded company in the Fleet Spring Handicap (Grade 3) back in April. Tries that level again here and should fare better this time.
#2 Audioslave (Alydar Stables) Won the Triple Bend Stakes (Grade 2) three starts back on this track and scored a 100 SRF in that effort. Hasn’t been back to the winner’s circle since, but he has been knocking at the door. Finished third just a length back last out in the O’Brien (Grade 2). Should be a factor.
#3 Ukrainian Victory (Gdp Inc) Won the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes in March here at SA. Hasn’t been able to get back to the winner’s circle since in graded company but scored a big win in upper-level allowance company two starts back. Needs to bring his A game to win here.
#4 Dream Rummer (La Canada Racehorses) Won the Winkfield back in January but hasn’t been able to repeat that performance. Finished way up the field in his only try in graded company. Another one that needs a big performance to compete here.
#5 Fifty Cent (Night Rider Stables) Won in graded allowance company last start. Finished ninth of ten in the Bay Shore (Grade 3) last year, his only try at this level. Tough spot to be trying to make that step up.
#6 Surprise Authority (Spankys Barn) Graded stakes placed winner of the CC Rapid Transit back in December. Has been successful in allowance company since then. Needs racing luck and a good trip against these.
#7 Demon (Wood Duck Stables) Won the Grade 3 MD Sprint Stakes at PIM in May. Finished fifth behind Audioslave last out in the O’Brien (Grade 2). Three-year-colt with credentials and some strong performances. A win wouldn’t be a surprise.
#8 West Coast Party (Martyparty) Won the $100.000 Rumson last start and broke the MTH 5-furlong track record doing it. His only blemish this year was a poor performance in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt Handicap. May be a little outclassed here.
Picks: 7-2-1
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
