San Simeon Stakes – Grade III
SA Race #6 6f Turf Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Just A Reserve Spankys Barn Rispoli U

This is a pretty tough race for this five year old to come back to the sort of form that saw him run two good races when placing at this level last year. His two starts this year have been disappointing so it is hard to be encouraged but he has the ace draw and is working well so just maybe he can get some if he gets into a good stalk early on.

2 Investment Return Grimley Espinoza V

It is always interesting when a mare turns up in a race like this but sadly at HRP the fairer sex do not have as much success as they do in real life. She a three time stakes winner and is working well with the perfect draw so this is a good chance for her but i would be surprised if she turn round the seeming bias the game has in situations like this.

3 Marx On The Moon Court Jester Racing Pereira T J

The winner of three graded stakes on the dirt he has been switched to turf this year and didn’t do badly in the Thunder Road from a terrible draw. He gets another chance from a better draw today and with any distinction between the racing surface being slight here at HRP i see no reason why he wont be in at the finish.

4 Regret Nothing Maxmillion Farm Gonzalez Ru

Twice a BC contender over longer trips he has been doing well in his older years but hasn’t really lived up to that early promise. I felt his last race may have told us that he is ready to try again and he gets a good draw and a chance to bounce back today.

5 Butter Ball Angelos Stable Rosario J

This six year old has won 12 races so certainly knows where the winning post is but just recently he has come back to sprinting after a spell over longer trips. This horse recorded a 95 speed figure over a mile and sixteenth in his penultimate win and a 96 speed figure over 5 furlongs in his most recent proving once again that trip is nowhere near as important here as it is in RL. He has the pace to live with these and could be a good each way bet.

6 Commanding Heights Fractious Ryan S

The stable is on fire so despite just average form for a race like this you have to give him a chance. His run in the Woodford at grade two wasn’t too bad and certainly suggests he is not our of place here.

7 Southern Fame Mb Stables Alvarado J

A winner at grade three and two this five year old is certainly right in this. His third in the BC stands out and with a fitness run under his belt he must start one of the favorites to win this.

8 Gleaming Spirit Mb Stables Fuentes Ru

With 18 wins and over 2.3K in prize money this seven year old BC Sprint winner is knocking on the door of being one of the greats at HRP. He was right upsides his stable companion in the BC Sprint this year so represents a very strong hand for the champion trainer. The draw is a bit sticky and a lot will depend on how he gets out of the gate and where he ends up but with a half decent run he will be right in it at the end.

9 Cold Weather Rider Night Rider Stables Carmouche K

A real solid and consistent sprinter he was a very good winner of the GP Turf Sprint last time out but will have a different draw today and has to overcome that before he can run his race. With luck good enough to win.

10 Kid Commander Allinthegate Melancon G

Won three ungraded sprints in a row before fading to third last time. The winner of 9 from 15 there is only one reason he can’t run well today and that is the draw. Being an on pace type he may have to work too hard to get there and give himself a chance at the end, but a soft lead could spell trouble for his rivals.

11 The Grandmaster John Henry Hernandez J J

Like Gleaming Spirit last years BC Sprint winner is on the cusp of being a great here at HRP. The draw is tough but he overcome a similar draw in the BC to win so i don’t see that as the negative it is with others. A true sprinter who is working as well as ever he is sure to go well.

12 Broomstick Dancer Arq Racingfarms Zayas E J

Faces a tough field with the worst draw but his trainer will be hoping the four year old can get a bit of luck and allow him to run his best. It will have to be his best too to win this and despite a third over nine furlongs last time at this level we know he can sprint pretty well.

SUMMARY

I would love to see a head bobber between The Grandmaster and Gleaming Spirit because there is nothing better than seeing great horses at their best. That wouldn’t be a bad choice but i think this is such an open race it is hard to be confident about any combination of the 1,2,3.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES