Who Will Take Home The Bowl In California
What a great weekend of racing we have in California.
Today on the card we have the running of the G2 – San Valenzuala Breeders Bowl Stakes to be run over 8.5F on a fast dirt course for $375,000!!!
There really is some well put together horses here today so, let’s turn the binoculars to the track and check out the runners as they head down to the post.
1. SWEET RIDE DUDE Owner: lenny6 Jockey: L Radzinski 24-8-7-0 8/1
Comes into today’s race on the back of 3 listed stake runs which netted himtwo second place finishes. Last start in the listed – Sensatious Dirt Mile he sat on the hooves of the leader before making good ground to just go under by ¾ length with a 111SP. Anywhere near that run will see him hard to hold out again.
2. PURE POINT Owner: crandyii Jockey: J Hernandez 12-2-5-3 26/1
Very capable runner who has built up an impressive strike rate only missing the placing’s twice in 12 starts. Last time out he stepped up to G3 level in the The Pal’s Hope stakes. After settling midfield he made up good ground late to finish 2nd with a 113SP. A repeat of that performance will see him near the top at juicy odds.
3. COMMAND MASTER Owner: 4amigos2 Jockey: T Ace 14-4-5-3 12/1
Another who comes into this in career best form. Last time out in the Listed – Bone Roaming Dirt Special Stake the son of Canny Ride sat just behind the speed early before just missing at the wire finishing 2nd with a 114SP. A live chance and great value at the 12/1.
4. GOLDEN BROWN TED Owner: jockeyjenn Jockey: J Drozd 17-6-3-1 10/1
Dropped back to allowance level for his last two starts for back to back wins. I asses his chances on on his previous start over 8F open allowance where he settled on the speeped before racing clear and holding a margin down the stretch to win by 2 lengths with a 108SP. Need to go up a level but well worth an each way ticket.
5. TOWN CRIER Owner: phoebejoys Jockey: B Child 15-6-0-1 11/1
Has raced at stakes level his past nine starts with two wins coming from them. Three starts back in the Listed – Ground Tarbash Dirt Special Stakes the son of Speightstown went wire to wire winning by 2 lengths with a 114SP. He also has the ability to come from back in the field and with the amount of on speed runners here that may be his best chance.
6. MANTARI Owner: kevoman Jockey: A Rolling 22-10-6-1 6/1
Already a winner at G2 level and certainly has the class to win here. Two starts back in the Listed – Hank The Rain Dirt Challenge Stakes over todays trip of 8.5F he settled just behind the speed before sprinting home to win by 2 lengths with a 114SP. If he can repeat that run kevoman could be awaiting his horse in the #1 stall.
7. FRANJOLA Owner: phantom3 Jockey: F Gossett 11-7-0-0 20/1
A gifted racehorse who steps out of his own age group for the first time here today. The son of Frankle had his first 7 runs on the turf before making a dynamic switch to the dirt winning a stakes race followed by the G1 – Sand Castle Derby – Derby Lock Prep over 9F winning by ¼ length with a 109SP. A huge chance if he can make the transition from restricted age racing to open company.
8. STRACCIATELLA Owner: capitanio2 Jockey: E Lagrant 13-5-2-1 8/1
An interesting runner here considering the amount of on pace runners and will be storming home when the whips are cracking late. Last start in the Listed – Bowing Under Quest Dirt Mile the son of Union Rags settled worse than mid field early before finishing well from the top of the lane finishing 4th beaten a length with a 111SP.
9. TIZ ZIG TIZ ZAG Owner: zenyatta09 Jockey: G Owans 13-4-4-1 8/1
A backmaker who will appreciate the plethora of on speed runners in this race and will be hoping that there is plenty of early pressure up front early. Last time out in the G3 – The Fall Stakes he got well out of his ground early managing to make up many lengths finishing 3rd beaten 4 ½ lengths with a 109SP. Would like a bit more ground but with plenty of speed upfront will be thereabouts.
10. PUSH AND SHOVE Owner: vkstables7 Jockey: K Ebner 13-5-4-1 19/1
Looking at the breeding of this horse it is a massive surprise that he likes the dirt so much compared to the turf. Last time out the son of Haradasun settled last of the 15 runners early before unleashing a powerful burst of speed to win running away by 1 ¼ lengths with a 105SP. A big chance of a cheque here.
11. SPIRAL CANDY Owner: bodemeister Jockey: B Renfroe 17-7-3-2 11/1
The likely leader but has the stamina to potentially run his rivals into the ground. Two starts ago in the G2 – Insulin Cap over 9F the son of Sidney’s Candy lead the up and opened up a big gap approaching the turn however managed to find one better in the run home finishing 2nd with a 113SP. Will be hoping that nobody takes him on for the lead early and the with the shorter distance he find himself home 1st.
12. BEAR CROSSING Owner: evilbear Jockey: D Givins 13-5-3-1 8/1
Has raced at G3 level or higher at his past 3 starts so it is no surprise to see this well bred son of Tapit in the millionaires club. Last start in the G1 – Sterile Mile he settled back third last early of 14 before passing tired horses in the straight finishing 6th beaten 6 lengths with a 108SP. Has class on his side which will take him a long way here.
13. SUSPECTED Owner: skunkfeed2 Jockey: V Jennings 28-13-7-3 4/1
A winner of this race back in 2013 and comes into this after an impressive win at listed stakes level last time in the Blazing Saddles Breeders Showdown Dirt Mile. In that race the son of the mighty MEDAGLIA D’ORO settled right on the tail of the leaders early before sprinting clear to win by 2 lengths with a 116SP. A repeat performance of any of his last two starts will see him hard to beat.
For my money the numbers are 13-2-9.
Good Luck to All Runners and I hope they all come back to the stables healthy!!!