Blazing a 1:32 and three final time to capture an Allowance fifty seven event two starts ago over this very surface, Mysterious Moon ( Fractious ) looks poised to add win number four of his career here at Santa Anita in final stakes race on the card.
- 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.
Original run over the dirt for its first seven races ( Did not compete in 2007 ), the switch for the Snow Chief to the turf came in 2014 when it was moved from Hollywood Park to Santa Anita. It was again absent in 2015 with not enough entries. First turf winner of this event was A Fine Romance ( Dandy Dan Stables ), whose bloodlines trace back to HRP-Polish Precedent. So to does Mysterious Moon have those same bloodlines, so lets see if that translates to a victory for him as well.
While in his most recent attempt at trying the Gr. II PEN Mile, it seems the rail and the heavier good track surface tired Mysterious Moon a bit in the final fractions of that event. The track is listed as good here on Friday, but it may dry enough to make it firm by Saturday. Van Dyke has left The Fog ( Rampage Stables ) to this one, so he must see more potential here.
The top three in my opinion to put in the best effort in the stretch would be Hampton Five ( Alydar Stables ) , Cartomancist ( Maxmillion Farm ) and More To Gain ( Toppedout ). Hampton Five won a mile and an eighth race here against Allowance company, and just missed in the Paradise Creek at a shorter seven furlongs. Has the services of Mike Smith in the irons, and he has victories in this event in both 2016/17. While the two have never paired up in the past, I think this will be a stellar combination. Cartomancist will be using all his mystic powers and visions to try to get to the top in first. A two time winner on the turf and most recently winning a restricted event over this very surface, he earned a 96 SRF for that victory, that being the second best number in this group. The added furlong should not hamper his physic ways. With More To Gain, he ran a stellar race in his most recent $100 Sullivan Stakes win. While grass is the color green, for this gray colt its golden, having won his last three starts on that surface. Look for him to light up the tote if he wins. He carries top weight of 124 pounds.
Looking at the rest of the field in no particular order, Estero Farms will be sending out Sunlander, whose attempt at the Gr. II American Turf race at Churchill met with disaster over a soft footing, placing ninth, eleven shy. He has only competed in five career starts, but as far as stakes competition, he has yet to finish in the top three. Wellington Or Bust is being sent out by Aml Racing, and since making the switch to the turf he has been to the winners circle twice. Another who has only five career starts, is building nicely, but this will be his first try at a stakes race. Was the post time favorite last time out with his five length victory going six and a half, but I would like to see how he handles the distance first.
Next there is The Fog ( Rampage Stables ) who remains winless since he broke his maiden last November. Did try the $75 Logan Stakes to close out last season, but managed a sixth place finish with Prat aboard. Hopefully there will be different instruction for this affair and the finish will be much more profitable. Finally there is Just You Wait ( Mb Stables ) breaking from the six hole. Trainer selected Velez for the earlier Wiltshire, and has brought him back again for this event. His most recent $100 Singletary Stakes mile event placed him fourth of four, and the final time of 1:35 and two for the winner is the reason I shied away from him as there are quicker runners for this event.
Duffers Picks ( 5-4-8 )
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
