Si’ Amigo Sprint Stakes

Today’s event sees the return of last years winner CHRONIC ADDICTION attempting to make it back to back Si’ Amigo Sprints.

He may have his work cut out for him however with the likes of champion horse KETCH and the fast-finishing K’S STORM MAKER also vying for Grade 2 Glory.

Here’s how I see them:

Breeding: HENNESSY x FORTY NINER x THEATRICAL 4 year old

Started out his career with 3 straight wins including a 2 year old Stakes win at just his 3^rd start. Broke the 100SF 8 starts ago and hasn’t looked back since continuing to break 100 at all his following runs. This 3 time Stakes winner has yet to taste Graded success however he came close last time out when he just failed to get past the winner beaten only a head in the G3 Yors Numras Sprint. Racing in peak form and will appreciate the extra ½ furlong. Will be running on.

Breeding: GHOSTZAPPER x SEATTLE SLEW x FORLI 4 year old

Didn’t set the world on fire when he first started out in his racing life, however this fellow has really come of age of late. 3 attempts at Stakes races have earned him a best perfomance of 2^nd however in Graded class he is 1 for 1 with a victory last time out in the G3 Yors Numras Sprint when he defeated topweight in this race CAMPAN. Looks to be an improver and is another who I feel will relish the 7 furlongs of today’s race. Has a powerful finishing burst and cause an upset.

Breeding: EMPIRE MAKER x STORM CAT x MR. PROSPECTOR 4 year old

A very talented individual who has been very well placed by trainer wreckagees resulting in an almost 50% win ratio. Awesome run last time in the G2 Bluegrass Sprint when 8 lengths behind and 11^th at the C3 then pulled out a great wing on every hoof run to grab victory in the last stride. Posted his best SP of 117 in that event and run a blistering 1:20 3/5 for the 7 furlongs. The run before that in the G2 Kentucky Breeders Bowl Sprint was almost as good when 3^rd beaten 2 lengths with a 112 SP. Looks to be in top form and look for him to be coming from the clouds late in the race.

Breeding: GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x GONE WEST x NIJINSKY II 4 year old

Winning 5 of his last eight starts including 2 Stakes and a G2, this fellow looks nicely placed in this field. Great win 2 starts ago in the G2 Astroturf Sprint over the 7 furlongs then followed that up with a 3^rd in the G3 MD Breeders Bowl last time over 6 furlongs. He’s a proven G2 performer and looks as though he will appreciate the return to 7 furlongs today. 3 of his last 4 runs have resulted in personal best SP’s for this fellow so its fair to say he’s in peak form. Should be in the finish.

Breeding: GONE WEST x ELA-MANA-MOU x VALID APPEAL 5 year old

Very consistent animal rarely far from the money. Commanding win 5 starts ago in the G3 Pablo Cruz Handicap where he posted a 117 SP and run a great time of 120 3/5 for the 7 furlongs. Followed that up with a win in The LOTTSA PARADE Challenge and hasn’t been far away in top company since. Has posted a SP of 102 or better in 13 of his last 14 races which just proves this horses consistency. His ability to race on the pace or back in field give the jock plenty of options and stands him in good stead for a crackerjack run. Strong chance.

Breeding: OPERA HOUSE x LION CAVERN x FORTY NINER 3 year old

May not stack up as well as the more fancied runners in this on paper, but you can’t blame trainer zman for wanting to take on this class as this guy just keeps on improving. 6 times stakes winner and G3 runner up, he’s facing a class rise today however he looks as though he’s ready to show his best. On the up and may show up at odds.

Breeding: DEPUTY COMMANDER x E. DUBAI x GILDED TIME 3 year old

Had a big 2 year old season with 4 wins 3 2nd’s and 3 3rd’s from 10 starts including 3 Stakes victories. Looks to be out of his depth in this however, in saying that, this guy’s last three runs have resulted in SP’s of 90, 94 and 104 showing he is on the way up. Prefer to see.

Breeding: FORESTRY x MR. PROSPECTOR x I AM THE GAME 5 year old

Grand campaigner having almost topped the million dollar mark in career earnings. Very interesting to note that jockey G. Carter has ridden this horse only once before, this same race last year when this fellow won by 1 ¾ lengths. It would be fair to say that trainer cheadle has this guy going just as good or better than this time last year and having won 2 G3’s 2 G2’s and a G1, he has to be rated among the top chances. Excellent chance to make it back to back Si’ Amigo Sprints.

Breeding: MORE THAN READY x RAHY x THEATRICAL 4 year old

Having yet to win outside of Allowance class level, this fellow will need some luck to be in the finish here today. His top SP of 109 came 4 starts ago when 4^th beaten 2 ¼ lengths in the G3 Kenny Joe Stakes over 7 furlongs. Will need to run the race of his life to figure in the finish here

Breeding: AWESOME AGAIN x A.P. INDY x MR. PROSPECTOR 4 year old

Super impressive racehorse who has amassed over 1.1 million career earnings from 23 starts including 3 G1’s. Deserved favorite in this race and clearly the one to beat this guy has an awesome top SP of 120, achieved when successful in the G3 Vermont Is 4 Lovers. He followed that race up with a good 4^th in the G3 Pablo Cruz Handicap then went on to win the G1 The Billy and Jimmy Stakes and the G1 Gary Carter Handicap. Is racing today over his pet distance of 7 furlongs and this regally bred 4 year old colt and winner of the G1 World Cup Long Sprint will be very very hard to beat.

Breeding: KINGMAMBO x SECRETARIAT x NORTHERN DANCER 5 year old

Dropping back in distance today and is tackling the 7 furlongs for only the second time in his 27 starts. A bold front running type, this fellows best runs have come when allowed to lead and dictate terms. On paper this race does not seem to have any front-running horses so he should be able to get his own way. 4 time Stakes winner and a G3 winner, its fair to say if jockey Sable can get to the front and roll along he may prove hard to catch. 3 starts ago in the G3 Winchester cap that was exactly the case, he opened up a lead of 5 ½ lengths at the C3 and couldn’t be run down eventually winning by ¾ of a length over 8 furlongs. Good chance.

Breeding: STREET CRY x FAPPIANO x PLEASANT COLONY 5 year old

This guy seems a bit under the odds at 9/1 having not won out of Allowance class. He has performed well in that division though running some good races and posting some good SP’s. Last time out was a close-up 2^nd in The ESCAPE VELOCITY Cap and his last win was 7 starts ago in an A-30400NW2t with a 111 SP. I think he will struggle today but I hope for super24’s sake I’m wrong.

Breeding: SEPTIEME x NIJINSKY II x CRIMSON SATAN 4 year old

Stakes winner and G2 and G1 place getter. Nice run 2 starts ago where he posted his best SP of 112 when close up 2^nd in the G2 Kentucky Breeders Bowl Sprint over 7 furlongs. Was disappointing last time in the G2 Bluegrass Sprint but he should bounce back today. Will need to improve to trouble some of these but he is a winner of a quarter million and deserves his chance.

Breeding: ECTON PARK x SEATTLE SLEW x SADLER’S WELLS 6 year old

Trainer tejanroy must have thought he had a potential superstar back in 04′ with this fellow, won his first start as a 2 year old with a SP of 79 then won his second start returning a 91 SP as a 2 year old. Turned 3 and went on to get 2 2nd’s and 2 wins from his next four starts including a win in the G3 South Bronx Stakes. After that he seemed to drop off a bit not winning again for another 6 starts in an Allowance. Excellent run 2 starts ago in the G1 The Lannister Special when a close second shows this guy can still mix it with this company. Getting on a bit but can still pull out a run when he wants to.

In Summary: Very hard to bet against Ketch, proven at this level and over this distance he is my clear top pick.

I’ve put in Skeleton Keymaker for second, he is probably the only one who likes to lead in this race and might be hard to catch if left alone in front.

And for third I’ve put in the consistent Chronic Addiction, always around the money and each way forever.

Good Luck to all Connections!!!