San Antonio Stakes Grade 2
Only a 7 horse field but with a big purse on the line and bragging rights, this deep field of 7 includes a ton of talent. Should be an exciting race and you can find out who I like below!
- Gray Magician- Javier Castellano- Peter Miller
- Gray Magician is really coming into this race in peak form. The Kentucky Derby is a tough race and he finished 2nd to last aka 19th out of 20, which is never good but the race was taxing and it took a little bit for him to see the racetrack again which eventually came in July. This will be his fifth track in 5 starts since the Derby which can cause for some concern but I don’t think it really affects him. I really think Peter Miller has found out what type of horse this guy is and it definitely isn’t a top 3 yo but he is definitely a classy one. Javier gets to stay aboard today after his win in an Optional 100K claiming race which was probably supposed to be a prep but since he really struggled to get to the wire in front Miller most likely tried to tune some things up which led to the layoff. I think this colt can definitely run down whatever speed is lined up today and can get by down the stretch but I will be taking a different horse on top today. This guy is super live though in this spot.
- Gift Box- Joel Rosario- John Sadler
- Gift Box is a horse I fade almost every start. When he was running in New York at the end of 2017 and early part of 2018, he was a known hanger that usually was the heavy favorite. John Sadler has gotten this horse to run a little better however, but the spotty run pattern is a flaw for me. I think he might need a race but the consistent and nicely spaced and strong works put up a good argument that he will be ready today. He is the defending champion of this race but I think he might hang again today.
- King Abner- Tyler Baze- Phil D’Amato
- King Abner will be the leader early today. He is definitely the cheapest of the bunch but he might get a lone lead in which he could build off of. I think he will be caught but you never know. I think others in this field are 100% better so I will be looking elsewhere.
- Draft Pick- Joe Talamo- Peter Eurton
- Draft Pick is a consistent horse but doesn’t necessarily mean he consistently wins because he doesn’t He runs the same race almost every time out and that consists of, break mid pack, pick up some pieces and if the field works in his favor he can win but usually its just one long drive all the way around. Will look elsewhere.
- Mugaritz- Ricky Gonzalez- Jonathon Wong
- Now I am biased with this horse so I will be taking him on top in every wager but this is a tough spot and probably his toughest race since the Jeff Ruby Stakes at Turfway back in March of 2018 which I was in attendance for. Mugaritz goes out today for my good friend Jonathon Wong who has had this horse in prime condition for his 4 yo campaign. He is looking for his 7th in a row here and has been steadily improving. He can win on dirt, synthetic and turf. Dirt is obviously his least favorite but he knows how to get the job done regardless. I love this horse and hope for the best for my friends out at Golden Gate who have worked on this horse for the past 2-3 years and hope they get a win today.
- Midcourt- Victor Espinoza- John Shirreffs
- Midcourt might be the sneakiest horse in this field. He is coming into this race in peak form and has improved in each start this year. Espinoza has taken this horse to even higher accolades and better performances than before. Today could be another race in which he just dominates. He could be on the lead early but I expect him to sit right off. Will use on every ticket.
- Fight On- Abel Cedillo- Doug O’Neill
- Abel Cedillo gets aboard this colt today for the first time. I personally think this horse is a horse that favors certain tracks or surfaces or distances. Oaklawn dirt seems to be his favorite and he also ran really strongly on the Santa Anita turf course. The only time he ran on the Santa Anita dirt course was when it came off the turf and was a sloppy track. I think he might do well, but I think he might prefer a deeper surface than today.
TOP PICKS
#5 Mugaritz
#6 Midcourt
#1 Gray Magician