Las Vegas, NV – The Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes is on tap from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California this Sunday, February 16. Three year olds will be featured as they go seven furlongs on Santa Anita’s main track for the winner’s share of the $200,000 purse.
A field of six has been entered in the San Vicente – race 5 on Santa Anita’s Sunday schedule. Post time is 2:30 PM. Let’s take a brief look into the past performances of all six combatants for this Grade 2 stakes – a major prep for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby April 5.
Cherubim – Simon Callahan trained colt bounced back from an ugly eighth in his debut by breaking maiden last time out by an impressive 3 1/4 lengths over six furlong in his only other career start at 20/1 odds – on this track December 28. He earned a very good 90 Beyer Speed Figure in that race. Regular rider Mike Smith has the call from post 4.
Kobe’s Back – won his career debut for trainer John Sadler – the 5 1/2 furlong Willard Proctor Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths but has been up and down in two starts since – an ugly tenth last time out after clipping heels in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park December 14 followed a second to the highly regarded Shared Belief in the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue Stakes November 19. Joel Rosario will be in charge of Kobe’s Back as he starts from the outside post in his first start on dirt. He is the only stakes winner in the field and should be right in the mix Sunday.
Papa Turf – most experienced of all the San Vicente entries finished a respectable fourth in the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue Stakes November 10 and concluded his year with a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming on this track December 27. He has one start in 2014 – a decent second behind the terrific Indianapolis in the six furlong minor San Pedro Stakes here January 20. Joe Talamo will be aboard one of only two entries with stakes experience.
San Vicente Stakes betting at Santa Anita Park with OffTrackBetting.com
Grazen’s Hope – has two career starts for trainer Steven Miyadi and two wins – an Allowance Optional Claiming at Golden Gate last time out January 26 and a MSW in his debut on that same track December 28. Martin Garcia will be in the saddle from the rail Sunday.
Roger Rocket – Bob Baffert trained colt has just one career start and it was a good one – a MSW score by a head at 5-2 odds on this track January 18. Corey Nakatani will be in the reins.
Rprettyboyfloys – will race in stakes company for the first time Sunday after two MSW starts yielded two second place finishes – the last coming on this track January 26. In that race he earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure in the 6 1/2 furlong test.
