Ring Weekend looks to take charge of wide-open division in San Gabriel
ARCADIA, Calif. – Throughout 2016, Flamboyant, Bolo, What a View, Midnight Storm, Vyjack, and Ring Weekend were graded stakes winners on turf in races for older horses at a mile to 1 1/8 miles in Southern California.
Ring Weekend won the final race in the division, the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar on Nov. 27. Now 6, Ring Weekend will start 2017 as the horse to beat in the division in Saturday’s $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita.
Owned by St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds, Ring Weekend is likely to start in the San Gabriel regardless of track conditions. Rain is possible Saturday and could lead to a change in surfaces. Trainer Graham Motion said Wednesday there is “a strong possibility” Ring Weekend would run if the race is moved to the main track.
The Grade 2 San Gabriel is the richest race on Saturday’s program, which includes two $100,000 stakes – the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes for female sprinters and the Grade 3 Sham Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile. The San Gabriel is the last of nine races.
KEY CONTENDERS
Ring Weekend, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 107-101-102
◗ Ring Weekend was a troubled seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 5 but rebounded to win the Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles by a head.
◗ Ring Weekend has experience at 1 1/8 miles on turf, having won the Grade 3 Hill Prince Stakes at Belmont Park in October 2014.
“I think ultimately the mile is his best trip,” Motion said. “I think he can run farther.”
◗ Ring Weekend drew post 11 in a field of 12. Drayden Van Dyke, who was aboard for the Seabiscuit, retains the mount against a field with seven other stakes winners in the last year.
Twentytwentyvision, by Pollard’s Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 96-101-94
◗ Twentytwentyvision won half of his eight starts in 2015 but only once in six starts last year – the minor Rolling Green Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in September.
◗ Twentytwentyvision was third in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship here Oct. 2 and third in the minor Lure Stakes on Oct. 30 behind San Gabriel runners A Red Tie Day and Perfectly Majestic. In both races, Twentytwentyvision was beaten less than a length.
“He always runs a pretty good race,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “He’s doing well. I still have hopes that he’ll take one step forward.”
Flamboyant, by Peer Gynt
Last 3 Beyers: 98-95-97
◗ Flamboyant won the 2016 San Gabriel in a 46-1 upset, closing from ninth in a field of 11. He won the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes last February but is winless in his last five starts. Trained by Paddy Gallagher, Flamboyant was third in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 25 and may appreciate a shorter trip in the San Gabriel.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Blue Tone. Trainer Bob Hess Jr. is 34-1-4-2 with a $0.40 ROI over the past five years going dirt to turf in routes. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Syntax. Trainer Phil D’Amato is 34-12-4-5 with a $3.28 ROI over the past five years in turf routes in the first start following a trainer switch. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan