Friday, March 11, 2011

San Felipe Stakes - Schooling Shots

This post will share some of the shots taken over the last two days of most of the runners in the grade 2 San Felipe Stakes being run this Saturday at Santa Anita. If you wish to know my thoughts about the race, including who I picked and who I think the main dangers are to that pick, please go to the Thorofan Handicappers' Corner. Now, this blog was unable to get a shot of every horse schooling, as circumstances prevent this. (Some horses do not have a name on the halter, some may have not schooled or they may have sneaked by in plain sight.)

Albergatti (Thursday)
















Awesome Patriot (Thursday)












Premier Pegasus (Friday)













Bench Points (Friday)











Jakesam (Friday)










Jaycito (Thursday)

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6 comments:

  1. GunBowMarch 12, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    Really looking forward to the San Felipe. Would have loved to see Sway Away stay for this, but think the field came up strong anyways.

    I think you're totally justified sticking to your guns and picking PrePeg. There is no question he will be a fitter horse in the San Felipe than he was in the San Vicente. The fact he is stretching out may negate a little of this fitness improvement(should really be at his best in the SA Derby), but without blinkers he should get a perfect stalking trip a few lengths off the lead, and his distance pedigree will carry him the rest of the way.

    Jaycito is, along with PrePeg, the best Derby prospect out in Cali right now. And while the San Felipe sets up for Jaycito's closing kick, I have a feeling Baffert hasn't quite figured him out, and doesn't have him cranked. He still might close to get into the trifecta.

    Of the maiden winners, I like Runflatout more than Albergatti(too physically immature). I don't think Comma to the Top is as bad as he was in the El Camino, but I don't think the pace scenario works in his favor. The pace scenario also plays against Jakesam. Bench Points and Awesome Patriot should get solid trips; of the two I prefer Bench Points. Surrey Star and Quail Hill look like the longshots, but while I think Quail Hill has no shot, I wouldn't be shocked if Surrey Star improves off a solid run in the San Vicente.

    The pace for the San Felipe should be solid, the stalkers should then put in good runs, and the closers will have a chance to make an impact. I see a fast time being produced, and the winner jumping into most people's top 5.

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  2. Kevin StaffordMarch 12, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Bench Points and PrePeg make the best impressions in the photos you snapped. Big day for your boy, Tencent. We'll be rooting him on with you.

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  3. Tony Bada BingMarch 13, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Good analysis and picking over at ThoroFan. Well done!

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  4. SaratogaSpaMarch 13, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Nice picks-what are your thoughts going forward for Premier Peg?

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  5. tencentcieloMarch 14, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Tony,
    Thanks. Wish I had written down the trifecta too (since it was those three that made it up), but isn't it how it always is.

    SSpa,
    PrePeg is my Derby horse, so clearly I think highly of him. The fact that he passed horses and kept going with only some urging is a good sign. I don't think he'll be that far off the pace going forward (Those fractions were ridiculous), and Jaycito still scares me out of the horses out here. He'll have to continue to improve in order to win the Derby, but the fact that he had the 7f sprint to start his year is the key in my eyes to him having success later in the year.

    Thanks to all for visiting.

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  6. Brian AppletonMarch 15, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    PrePeg was awesome! I remember you touting him way back and sticking with him. Nice job!

    I love the look of Bench Points, he is very well muscled. Hopefully he moves forward by leaps and bounds off his third place finish in the San Felipe.

    Jaycito ran really well and I love what you said about his 7F sprint being the key to the rest of his season! I love that angle with young horses like him.

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