All American Stakes: Late-runners look like most probable winners
In a furious finish to the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields on April 30, Tom’s Surprise was one of several eye-catching closers, eventually finishing a close fourth.
Last October, Master Piece finished with a rush in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita, but encountered trouble and was fifth by 1 1/4 lengths.
The closers race for the first time since those losses in Monday’s $100,000 All American Stakes at a mile on the synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields. Tom’s Surprise is one of several local runners who can claim an advantage with familiarity on the surface. Master Piece has faced better rivals in graded stakes.
It would be no shock if they were near each other in the stretch of the All American, which drew a field of 10. Both should have similar trips, stalking the pace from outside post positions.
“It will take a clean trip,” said Jack Steiner, who trains Tom’s Surprise for Remmah Racing. “He’ll have to fire like he has in the last few races. We’re confident he will.”
Claimed for $20,000 last November, Tom’s Surprise has since won 4 of 8 starts and earned $116,810. He has won on turf and the synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields this year.
Steiner is somewhat relieved the All American Stakes has a field of 10 instead of the 14 from the San Francisco Mile.
“We’re excited about the race,” he said. “There will be less traffic, hopefully.”
While Master Piece has not started since October, trainer Michael McCarthy has confidence in the 6-year-old who was a Group 2 stakes winner at 1 1/4 miles in Chile in 2019. Master Piece has yet to win a stakes in the United States in five starts for McCarthy and Chad Brown since late October.
“This seems like a good race to get him started,” McCarthy said. “The horse is training well and he has plenty of back class.”
Master Piece drew the outside position. Southern California-based Drayden Van Dyke has the mount. Van Dyke was aboard Master Piece in the John Henry Turf Championship as well as a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap last August.
“That’s the only concern, that he is drawn out there,” McCarthy said.
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The supporting cast is strong.
Navy Armed Guard won the 2021 All American Stakes, but is winless in his last two starts in allowance races at Golden Gate Fields, finishing behind War Games and Freeport Joe who are part of Monday’s race.
Dicey Mo Chara will have his American synthetic track debut after a good second in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes on turf at Santa Anita in March, but a poor fifth in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes on April 30. He is a threat as a closer.
Lure Him In won the Sunshine Turf Stakes for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park in January, a race transferred to the track’s new synthetic surface because of wet weather.