Coming to Santa Anita this past Saturday, Aer Stables would find themselves heading to the BC Sprint event with Viper Command. While this would be this trainer fourteenth Grade I victory and Viper Command’s second Grade I title, the focus has now shifted to the bigger prize next month.

• SA Sprint Championship – Grade I (P3) ( BC ) Purse $300.000
• Santa Anita Park- For Three years old and Up
• Six Furlongs- Main Track

Sent out as a profitable three to one post time favorite, rider Equivel was quick to get his sophomore bay to the front from their number nine post position with an early fraction of 22 flat. Viper Command was definitely not going to be denied his shot at a BC Sprint title, and in similar fashion to his Gr. I Stephens victory, he would maintain the lead throughout this event with a final time of 1:08.86. This would be Aer Stables first ever SA Sprint Championship victory. This would also be his twelveth Graded victory of the year.

John Henry’s latest acquisition Along For The Ride was harnessed with the post number twelve, and while he was not eager to try a quick dash to get to the front early, he would bide his time picking up positions, then at the top of the lane still some four lengths back, would charge to the wire to miss by only three quarters of a length. While he missed the victory, the four year old has accumulated 24 BC Sprint points placing him current in second, so he will be going to the party in November for sure.

The show purse would go to Candlestick ( Mb Stables ) who was hoping his stalking position of just a length back would leave him enough to make a final push, but the eventual winner was having none of it. Has four BC Sprint points sitting 42 on the list and looks like he wont see any BC action this season. The tall 17.1 hands colt may find his edge next season with maturity.

Minor share was grabbed by inside runner Pulpit ( D J C Racing Stables ) with a late push of his own. Just missed out in the photo for show, and his 28-1 odds could have made for some nice show payouts. Seems to have a thing for the sun, as his best efforts have come over southern track surfaces. The Damascus on BC day going seven eights may be a nice fit for him.

Rounding out the runners;

Con Artist ( Fractious ) -Sat seventh three shy till the turn, then closed to within a length for fifth. 7th, 16 Sprint points.

Junior ( Maxmillion Farm )- position in the back of the field till the turn, then made up ground to be two out. 18th, 8 Sprint points

Black Scorpion ( John Henry )- Maintained a two length disadvantage throughout this race placing in seventh. 14th, 6 Sprint points.

Oklahoma ( Mb Stables )- Another runner who was two shy and managed to be fourth at the turn, but faded to eighth still two out. 35th, 4 Sprint points, 8 points overall.

Cucamonga ( Tiratzo ) placed just ahead in a photo for ninth after being in the thick of things early on. 17th, 8 Sprint points.

Salar de Uyuni ( Mb Stables )- Another of a large group of runners to stay two shy, but his entry cost his trainer $34.50 in losses for the affair. N/A

Cat Whisperer ( Hawaiian Shirt Guy ) – Was never really a factor throughout this event. N/A

Barbary Appeal ( Nakamura Stables )- Final runner of the field seeming to never fire on the day some four out. N/A

Scratched– Creep City

Duffer

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES