The Barrera Stakes – GIII
5/18/19
SA Race 2 7F – Dirt
Purse $100.000
Three Year Olds

A field of eight three year old sprinters has been entered for this years running of the grade three Barrera Stakes here at Santa Anita. A couple of these have been on the Derby trail but a couple of them haven’t so it is a good mix of runners. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Entermeimaprincess (7-1-0-2 $66.520), trained by Estero Farms

The first runner that we come across in the field right here is coming into this race off of a third place finish in a statebred stakes race over this same track. He did not run a bad race that day at all but he still needs to improve quite a bit off of that race to have a chance in here.

2. Rocky Mountain Hi (9-2-1-0 $124.800), trained by D J C Racing Stables

Here is one of the runners in the race that is coming into here off of some triple crown prep races. He has not been running good in them at all but I do think that he is better around one turn. If he can run back to his Swale Stakes where he ran second he could maybe have a chance.

3. Milford Sound (5-3-0-0 $101.440), trained by Tiratzo

This next runner in the field is coming into this race off of ninth place finish in the grade two TAM Derby. Before that start he won the Limehouse at Gulfstream Park which was going six furlongs. I definitely think that he is way better sprinter than router and he will run a big race in here.

4. Made Out Of Glass (7-3-0-2 $277.870), trained by Mb Stables

And now to this horse right here who is coming into this race off of a win in the California bred Eddie Stakes right here over this same track. He ran a very good race that day and if he can run that same race in this spot he will have a good chance I think.

5. Double Dipper (8-2-3-1 $95.110), trained by Maxmillion Farm

Well for the first time since his first career start way back in April this horse will not be facing Florida bred company. He is coming off a head defeat in a statebred stakes race in his last start in which he ran very good that day. Not sure how the Florida bred company will translate to this race though.

6. Socotra Island (9-4-0-1 $244.800), trained by Nynl Stables

This next horse in the field is coming into this race off of a very tough defeat in the grade three Bay Shore at Aqueduct. I though he was going to hang on that day but he was passed late. If he can run that same race but be able to hold them off late he will be very tough to beat.

7. Tongariro (9-3-1-1 $119.040), trained by John Henry

Next horse in the field right here has not ran since the grade three Sunland Derby where he ran a not so great eighth but that was to the Derby winner. I think that he may like the cutback in distance and the drop in competition for sure. I think this horse has a very live chance to win.

8. Niko Niko (11-3-2-2 $83.170), trained by Wolfs Den

And now to the final entry in the field right here and this horse is coming into this race off of a fifth place in the grade two Kona Stakes. Two of his wins have come on the turf and I do think he is better on that surface. A tough post and maybe not his preferred surface so a tough task.

Summary

Now this is a pretty evenly matched field I would say and I can definitely see four or five them winning. I think my top choice is going Socotra Island because he ran very good in his last start. It is a nice field for sure. Good luck to all in the field.

6-3-4-7

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES