Nine vie in G2 marathon The San Juan Invitational

California (CA) Saturday, April 18, 2015 — 2:30:00 PM EST | Race ID : 1415565
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THE  SAN  JUAN  INVITATIONAL
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Grade II / Group 2 – Purse : $375,000 – 4 Year Olds and Older    
14 Furlongs | ~2800 Meters | One Mile and Three Quarters    Firm Turf
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From beautiful Santa Anita Park in sunny southern California we bring you the G2 The San Juan Invitational,  a marathon event at 14 furlongs on what should be a firm turf oval,  if the local weather prognosticators are on target.   A field of nine older males will compete for the winner’s share of the $375,000 purse.  The handicapper sees this as a two horse affair;  the only grade/group winner The Carpenter is favored at 2/1 in the morning line,  while his closest rated foe,  Dr Sheldon Cooper at 5/2,  looks to get his blacktype designation.  There are four otherr stakes winners among  the hopefuls vieing to star in the trophy presentations that will immediately follow the race.  So,  let’s take a look at the entrants in post position order and see if we can end our current selection losing streak.
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 1
    THE  CARPENTER                         JPN          handshobby         2/1

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Heading the parade past the grandstand is today’s favorite,  a handsome five year old chestnut who seeks his third straight victory.  Scratch-bred son of Deep Impact (by Shamardal) won at this route last out in the Pharwood listed stakes,  grabbing a 108 SP# from just off the early pace.  One back of that was a wire to wire romp in the Jet Boy listed at 2 miles,  scoring a 109 SP#.  In his previous try he settled for 2nd in a residency stakes at 16 panels over this oval,  earnng a 107 SP#in a stalking trip.  Handshobby trainee should be close to the early leaders,  is two for three over this strip,  well deserving favorite will take beating.
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2
    DR  SHELDON  COOPER           JPN          theprofit1         5/2
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Stretching out 3 furlongs further than he’s ever run,  this scratch-bred Deep Impact lad (by Danzig) won at 11 furlongs over this surface last out in the River Jupiiter listed stakes,  notching a 111 SP# in an off the pace run.  He was a late running 5th one prior in the G2 Marcos Footwear Handicap at 10 furlongs on this oval,  getting a 105 SP#.  One back of that he tired badly to 7th at 9 panels in the G3 The Little River Band,  when much closer to the front than he normally runs.   Bay four year old theprofit1 trainee should be charging late in the lane;  extra distance may help,  seems to be on the improve,  but can he catch the favorite ?
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    BLUE  MOOSE                                   ENG          joeystreak         8/1
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Bay four year old colt makes his first grade/group start after a chasing 3rd in a restricted allowance at 12 furlongs,  earning a 101 SP#.  One back of that,  this Bahamian Bounty boy,  out of the stakes placed sim-mare Bow Zarb (by Rainbow Quest),  was a distant last of eight in the Lex Luthor listed stakes at 12 furlongs,  posting a 94 SP#.  In his previous try he tired to 5th in the Rickashay listed at 12 panels,  scoring a 104 SP# from just off the early leaders.  Runner from the joeystreak racing stable stretches out,  may be part of the early pace but unlikely to hold on here.
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    SEEING  ROCK                                 CHI          millview1         14/1
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Currently riding a 12 race losing streak is this brown five year old,  who settled for 2nd last out at 13 furlongs in an open allowance,  getting a 95 SP# in a pace setting try.  In his prior start,  this scratch bred Sighseeing fella (by Dance In The Dark),  couldn’t hold on after leading by five late in an open allowance at 16 panels,  posting a 98 SP#.  His previous run was an even 3rd at this distance in an open allowance with a 97 SP#.   Millview1 runner should be involved in the early pace,  but highly doubtful to hold on for a share without big improvement.
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    MAPLE  REEF                                   IRE          lglong2yo         6/1
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Hailing from the lglong2yo barn is this bay four year old colt,  who held 3rd after setting the pace in the G2 The Stayer’s Dash at this trip,  nailing a 105 SP#.  Son of Sea The Stars,  based on the G2 winning,  million dollar earning sim he-mare The Reef Returns (by Empire Maker),  wired the Enter The Medium listed stakes at this distance one back of that,  scoring a 102 SP# for his first stakes triumph.  He was a bang-up 2nd in his previous try,  the Redsadky listed stakes at this route,  snatching a 110 SP# over a “good” turf.  He owns three wins at this distance,  will be with the early leaders,  could be right there on top try.
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    VICTORY  IN  VENTURA           CA          shurwynn         10/1
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Lightly raced,  scatch bred Tenga Cat colt (by Wheelaway),  makes initial stakes foray off last out’s huge improvement victory in a local bred allowance at 10 furlongs,  garnering a 112 SP# for his first triple digit SP# and his first win on the weeds.   One back of that he romped at 15 panels in a local bred allowance,  wining by over 14 lengths,  but only earning an 82 SP# in a four horse field.  In his prior run he ran off by five in a NW3L allowance at 13.5 panels,  scoriing a 95 SP# in a stalking trip.  Shurwynn runner gets class test here,  seeks fourth straight,  can surprise with repeat of last out  effort.
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    METEOR  RELEASE                      SAF          wyndaway3         28/1
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Former claimer makes his first grade/group appearnce off a dull 7th in a NW1x allowance at 8.5 furlongs,  posting an 89 SP#.  Meteor Shower mister,  out of the sim-mare Theatrical Release (by Theatrical),  was a closing 4th in a restricted $17,500 claimer one back of that at 9.5 panels,  getting a 94 SP#.  One before that he was a never in it 8th in a $75,000 claimer at a mile with an 86 SP#.  Owner/trainer wyndaway3 takes a shot;  this one has one win in his last 15 starts (and that was on the polytrack),  handicapper odds seem a bit generous.
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    TOMAHAWK  TED                        NM          tedshold6         8/1
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Chestnut four year old makes his grade/group stakes debut off a runaway win in the Z Dancer listed stakes at this distance,  grabbing a 101 SP# in a middle of the pack run.  Son of Fleet Deputy,  out of the sim-mare Indian Drums (by Peintre Celebre),  won a NW3x allowance one back of that at 8.5 panels,  getting a 103 SP# from just off the early pace.  In his previous try,  he was 3rd in a NW3L allowance at 9 furlongs,  posting a 99 SP# in an even effort.  Runner from the tedshold6 racing operation seeks 3rd straight,  could be right there with any further improvement.
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    SUMMER  BARB                             JPN          deepesr9         8/1
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Watching them all up the straight is another reformed claimer,  who was an even 2nd last out in the Pharwood listed stakes at this route,  scoring a 104 SP#.  Bay four year old son of Summer Bird,  out of the stakes placed sim-mare Barb’s Stiff (by Giant’s Causeway),  was a distant 5th one prior in the Prince Red listed,  earning an 89 SP#.  His previous try was a victory at this trip in the Drago Delloro listed,  notching a 101 SP# in an off the pace run.  Deepesr0 runner has run well at this route,  could be in the picture on top try.
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SELECTIONS:
THE  CARPENTER
SUMMER BARB
DR SHELDON COOPER
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LONGSHOT:
VICTORY IN VENTURA