Every once in awhile this Sport of Kings will have me do a double take following a race and say to myself, ” Did I miss something?” Nevertheless there was a superb performance put forth by Estero Farms Sunlander in the feature here at Santa Anita .
- Snow Chief Stakes – Purse $200.000
- Santa Anita Park – For Three year olds Foaled in California
- One Mile and an Eighth – Turf Course
- June 22nd, 2019.
While this bay sophomore gelding had experienced victory in a restricted allowance company race to open his season here at Santa Anita, it seems that these type of events could hold the key to future success. He did post a brilliant workout in May at Parx for the mile in 1:34 and three being the best of seven that day, and perhaps that was the answer many needed to judge his efforts here. This is now his third of six career starts, and his second of four this year. He now sits just shy of the $160.000 mark in career earnings.
While Sunlander definitely found another gear to go on to win by three at the wire in 1:45.20 ( A New Event Record Time ), More To Gain was hoping his jump to the front early would extend right to the final sixteenth of the event. Having used this style of running in the Sullivan Stakes recently and going on to victory, trainer Toppedout was hoping to see a repeat performance in this race.
Third place finish went to Rampage Stable’s The Fog, who has been jumping around trying to find a level suitable to compete against. Is still winless since he captured his maiden victory , but this has been his best placing since that event.
The minor purse share was taken by Alydar Stables Hampton Fives with veteran rider Mike Smith aboard. She has been productive this season with a record of 6 (3-1-1 ), three of those events coming on the grass. May need to get her legs back under her on the dirt.
Final runners were Mysterious Moon ( Fractious), Wellington Or Bust ( Aml Racing ), Just You Waiting ( Mb Stables ) and finally Cartomancist ( Maxmillion Farm ).
Duffer
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
