The San Felipe, Santa Anita’s final prep for next month’s Grade I Santa Anita Derby, brings together an outstanding field of youngsters that look to prove their worth of continuing down the Derby Trail. A trio of long distance specialists meets a speedy stretchout sprinter that has designs on a gate-to-wire score. Let’s take a look.
Santa Anita: The Grade II, $150,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles
1. Stephen’s Got Hope: Respect their optimism, but ‘Stephen’s just a maiden and there’s not a lot of hope. Couldn’t get it done for a tag in his debut and then was a troubled seventh against straight maidens, so not expecting this to be his coming out party; longshot.
2. Interactif: Pletcher charge disappointed in his seasonal bow at GP when nosed out at 4-5 in a grassy stakes. Yet to try the fake stuff, but his turf form and pair of graded stakes victories says he’ll do just fine, so you need to respect his chances. Ships across the country to try and show he belongs on the Triple Crown trail, but this is a pretty dicey field he’s looking at; comfortable leaving him out of the exotics.
3. Erbeia: Was it the two turns on the Pro-Ride that got him going after three very indifferent runs last season? Tough to tell, but at least you know he’s going in the right direction. Never easy to go from a maiden win into a GII stakes, and on that basis alone he’s in trouble; respect connections but he’s a longshot nonetheless.
4. American Lion: Adds blinkers after a tiring return in the GII Lewis here last month, so he should show even more speed than usual and be right in the mix early. Well-bred colt made a lot of fans year and his return certainly gives plenty of reason for optimism in this second start back. Should sit a perfect trip just off the speedy Sidney’s Candy and get the jump on the closers turning for home; big chance at the win.
5. Sidney’s Candy: Speedster was extremely impressive running the competition off their feet in the GII San Vicente at seven furlongs here last month, and with the additional ground today, it’s easy to see him setting up shop on the front end with a clear lead. Tries two turns for the first time, but dad Candy Ride was a monster going long, so there’s little reason to worry. Based on his talent and pace advantage, he could tough to catch in the lane; call to lead them wire to wire.
6. Dave In Dixie: Just loved his comeback; rated in last, moved out at the top of the stretch, then persevered and got the place behind rival Caracortado, who had a decided pace advantage. Well, the screws have been tightened since and this long-striding son of Dixie Union should be that much tougher in the lane. Should have ample pace to run into, but his real coming out party might need to wait until the 9F SA Derby next month; continues the progression to the top of the West Coast class with another solid showing.
7. Caracortado: Surprised them a bit when he answered the class question with a resounding win in the Lewis, but no doubt he’s got to prove it again here. Perfect in five starts, and it’s never wise to discount a horse that loves to win, but he’s facing some different circumstances than the Lewis. That day both ‘Lion and ‘Dave were making their first starts of the year and had bigger goals in mind, while this guy (though also making his first start of the year) was cranked pretty good as he needed graded stakes earnings. Figures to sit a good trip and make his move on the far turn, just not sure if it will be good enough this time; trying to beat him for the win.
Selections
5. Sidney’s Candy
4. American Lion
6. Dave In Dixie
