‘Bomb Cyclone’ spares G3 Sham at Santa Anita: Analysis
- Updated: January 4, 2018
Less than a week after NYRA was forced to postpone the New Year’s Day running of the Jerome Stakes – the first race of 2018 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby – comes what’s being hailed as a ‘bomb cyclone‘ that produces blizzard conditions, and has prolonged the return of racing to New York which has cancelled racing through Sunday, January 7.
But luckily for the seven likely contestants for Saturday’s G3 Sham Stakes, the ‘bomb cyclone‘ won’t have any affect on the west coast runners at Santa Anita.
G3 Sham Stakes Analysis
My Boy Jack – Makes the turf to dirt move after five races in a row on the lawn, culminating with a seventh place finish last time out in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. First and only win came two back in a $100K overnight stakes in Arcadia. Was second best in prior three turf starts. Only dirt race was the 5f maiden opener in which he finished up the track. But sire won 4 races on dirt so pedigree is there. However, trainer is 0 for 28 in graded stakes races.
Here is Happy – Won maiden opener at Del Mar going 5/8’s in the summer for an $80k tag. Was 3rd here in October in $70k overnight. Last two running lines say squeezed at start, so they add blinkers today. Was 6th last time out in G3 Bob Hope vs. Greyvitos (early Derby contender who may now be off the trail). Not feeling this guy.
All Out Blitz – Showed speed going 6 1/2 first time out here in October before tiring to split the field. Was 3rd next time out at Del Mar going 6f from the 11 hole. And broke maiden by a nose in last at LRC on the lead from the bell. Stretches out and sitting on a best of 35 bullet going 4f here a week ago. Going in the right direction but hard to go a route and win right back off maiden score. Next time.
Mourinho – 125 to 1 on the latest Kentucky Derby Odds from Wynn Las Vegas. Broke maiden at first asking for Baffert here in September going 6 with blinkers. And wore them again for runner-up effort NTO in the Speakeasy ahead of Here Is Happy. Baffert removed the hood for the Bob Hope last time and extended his speed to 7 furlongs to finish second less than two behind Greyvitos but 8 in front of the 3rd place finisher that day. By Derby winning sire Super Saver. Plenty capable.
Shivermetimbers – Steadily improving speed figures over course of three starts to earn maiden win and a 90 Beyer last time out at this distance with Smith aboard. Logical place for Hollendorfer to test what he has or doesn’t as we move full-swing into the 2018 Kentucky Derby prep races. Sire, Shanghai Bobby, won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile here in 2012 but retired early as a 3YO having raced only 8 times with a record of 6 wins. Smith lands on runner – who defeated this guy – to his outside. So consider that.
McKinzie – Listed as having two wins from two lifetime starts but was the beneficiary of a controversial call by the stewards when moved up to first in the G1 Cash Call Futurity at Los Alamitos. But getting back to the reality of this race, he was impressive in 7f debut here in October. Wore blinkers in both career starts but won’t for this one. Go figure. The one to beat.
City Plan – Got second win last time out when adding Lasix at Golden Gate over the synthetic stuff. Maiden victory three back at Los Al in September. Sandwiched in between was a poor performance in the G1 Front Runner when 7th beaten 27 lengths behind Bolt d’Oro and Solomini. Could have bled that day but not sure this son of Derby winner Street Sense has what it takes to move forward on the Derby trail for Godolphin, as best number (68) isn’t in the ballpark with most of these.
