San Juan Capistrano Stakes – Grade III
SA Race #3 1 1/2m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Ingrained Our Athletes Gutierrez Mario

This is a pretty strong grade three race for a hundred bucks but that is mainly down to it being a race without three year olds thus giving these older horses atleast half a chance. This five year old has proved to be a great buy for the trainer who picked him up for just fifty dollars. In his three races this year for the new owner he has won the San Gabriel and very nearly won the Whittingham last time out. He looks suited to this trip and looks to be one of the main chances.

2 Bayou Quartier Invicta Group Llc Prat F

This six year old has been struggling a little to get back to his best but was only beaten a head in the Elkhorn in April and despite a poor effort in the Man O War last time cannot be discounted.

3 Maniaco del Controll Threshold Garcia Mar

Came from a mile back in the Louisville Handicap last time to run a close second and has been knocking on the door for a while now. Gets his chance here from a decent draw.

4 Laggy Lake D J C Racing Stables Velez J I

I would say on the balance of form this one os up against it here but the trainer can send out some real left field winners and this one falls into that category. His works are good and the draw is fair so ignore him at your peril.

5 Breath Of The Sun High Voltage Desormeaux K J

A consistent sort at overnight level he threw a 1.34 and 3 work over the turf mile last time so clearly has the speed to live with these if he has the class gene.

6 Kamala Rheingold Stables Espinoza V

Bought for under five dollars from Mb Stables this eight year old has competed strongly at this level before and he too has a few sub 1.35 turf mile works which is good enough to be competitive here. The years are against him but he is from the generation where horses lasted longer so may be a dark horse.

7 Kandy Stripe Maxmillion Farm Maldonado

NEVER ignore a horse from this stable on the turf and this one has the look of one of those stable runners that could just topple some bigger names. The impressive winner of his last two at allowance level and proven at this trip his draw could be better but he doesnt have to have favors from HRP when coming from this yard.

8 Spanish Showboat Mb Stables Bejarano R

Despite some lack lustre form this year this great nine year old hasnt slowed down much in his works and may still have a mile of two left in his old legs. It would be great to see him defy them once more but the odds are against it.

9 Video Master Aer Stables Talamo J

Bought for eighty five dollars this eight year old who looked to be slowing down came out and ran a remarkable third in the Whittingham in his first start for the new owner. That effort was something that had me scratching my head but he does come from that golden generation of horses that refuse to die so he may be able to put in a similar run here which would put him close at the end.

10 Iron Laws Fractious Van Dyke D

Won at allowance level in under 1.33 for the mile at the end of last year so clearly has the pace to do well here but has yet to break through at this level. He has been closing off his races strongly so should appreciate the trip but has a tough draw to overcome.

SUMMARY

A competitive race for this small purse. We have three from the golden generation who could do well despite their veteran status but i think i am going for Ingrained who looks the in form horse in this race.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES