The Forego (Grade 1)- $450.000 Purse
SAR- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
August 29, 2020
Last year, a total of six horses that ran in the Grade 1 Forego at SAR would run in the BC Sprint as well. Perhaps again, we will be watching a preview of that race as a field of twelves heads to the starting gate for the 18th running of the race. One of the big stories concerning the race is the decrease in purse, as it drops from the $600.000 it had been at for the last three years, and the $700.000 it was for a couple years before that. Even in virtual racing, things are a little different this year it appears. We’ll see if that affects this field from having so many runners in the BC in a couple months. For now, this race is a bit of a revenge affair from the Vanderbilt Handicap that ran here and the Grade 2 Nerud, that ran at BEL, all rolled into one. Last year’s winner, Kiss The Snake, won both the Vanderbilt and this race consecutively, doing so for Nakamura Stables. Let’s take a look at our field!
#1- Out On A Limb (Estero Farms, ridden by R M Hernandez)- The veteran six year old returns to the Forego, hoping to improve his finish here from 2019, where he was 10th. That year, he also ran in the Nerud before coming here. In 2020, he was one position better in the Nerud, so maybe that will be a positive. Since running in the BC Classic in 2018, there is not much to be excited about in terms of his finishes, but he also is typically competitive.
#2- Global Strike (Fractious, ridden by J Stein)- Looking to duplicate Kiss The Snake’s achievement of winning both the Vanderbilt and the Forego. For Global Strike, it was his graded debut, but that did not stop him from delivering as the post time favorite. Running a little longer here will help him, and gets to start from the same exact spot in the gate. So, really, he has no excuses to not be a top contender once again.
#3- Wrecking Havoc (John Henry, ridden by T Gaffalione)- Had his picture taken with Global Strike at the wire in the Vanderbilt, but would have to settle for second. It was also his graded debut as he has been moved up the ladder well. Overall, he has been first or second in his last five races. One thing about the Vanderbilt with him is that he was gaining on Global Strike late, and this time has more room to run, and a better starting post to do it from.
#4- Snakie Authorization (John Henry, ridden by R Chirinos)- The best results for this five year old have come when running a mile, either on the main track or on the grass, but his last two starts has seen a little cut from his distance, to be sprints. He has won each of them, but neither were against what he sees here in a very strong field. The Grade 3 MD Sprint Stakes was one of those races, but even there was nothing like this. Not amazed by recent work times, but you never can really tell.
#5- Sinissippi Star (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by E Jaramillo)- Here’s a horse that is working very well coming into the race, with back to back bullets. The trainer hopes this will lead to success in what will be their first race together after purchasing him from Estero Farms for $250.000 at the beginning of July. Had a great run of form soundly halted in his last two starts, so hopefully the change of scenery helps him.
#6- Gifted Man (Spankys Barn, ridden by F Prat)- Took a while for him to find a trainer that wanted him, and the continuous trips to the auction ring may have kept him from becoming a bigger name sooner. With Spankys Barn, he has someone that wants him, and he has made his trainer proud. He did win the Grade 3 Fool Handicap earlier this year, and comes out of a fourth place effort in the Vanderbilt Handicap, being less then a length from the win. He’ll also like not having to start from an outside gate.
#7- Peculiar Sensation (Mb Stables, ridden by D Davis)- Even though he is only five years old and making just his 27th start, it seems like this horse has been around forever to me. He has had a steady diet of graded stakes over his career, and that includes two times running in the BC Sprint. He did not hit the board in either of them, nor did he do so when he ran in the Forego last year. Did not fare well in the mud at the Nerud in his last start, so we will see just how much he can bounce back.
#8- Con Artist (Smokey Stover, ridden by R Bejarano)- The reigning champion of the BC Sprint has done a great job in 2020 as he looks to duplicate that achievement. However, if he does, it will be in different silks, since he was formerly with Fractious. Smokey spent $1,500.000 to pick him up, and in his last two starts, he has been rewarded with back to back Grade 2 wins, including the Nerud last month. That’ll get him back to the BC, but there is still more that can be done before that.
#9- Reach For A Latte (Fractious, ridden by A Beschizza)- Speaking of Fractious, he got a good glimpse of his former star winning the Nerud, since Reach For A Latte ended up running second to him there. Now, the trainer hopes this one can do what Con Artist did for him last year while having more money in the bank from the sale. He was also witness to Con Artist’s win in the True North. Can he finally turn the tables on his rival?
#10- Pulpit (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by J Lezcano)- Comes out of the Whitney here at the beginning of the month, but was not much of a factor as he picked up an uneventful midpack finish. Won the Grade 2 Eclipse as his career highlight two starts back, but it has been a while since he has done anything significant while sprinting. I prefer the trainer’s other entry.
#11- Admiration (Mb Stables, ridden by J K Court)- Best known for winning the 2019 BEL, and certainly not one with a reputation built around sprinting. Fifteen of his last sixteen races have been at least a mile, and his last two races have been twelve furlongs. That one race that was not a route was a seven furlong affair in February, a midpack finish in the Grade 3 General George at LRL. He has not won in eleven months, but has been close. His post might make the distance cut a little tougher.
#12- Tallmadge Star (Oquinn Farm, ridden by J R Leparoux)- Speaking of that Grade 3 General George, the race was won by Tallamadge Star six months ago. He followed that up well in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap, running third, and was then second in the Grade 2 Triple Bend. Despite that, he was dropped into an optional claimer, though here and for a nice purse, and went wire to wire on his three rivals. Had a great work here a couple weeks ago.
Prediction: 3-8-6-2
— NS
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
