San Marcos next for Finnegans Wake
Saturday's victory in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita is likely to lead to further turf stakes in coming months for Finnegans Wake, beginning with the $200,000 San Marcos Stakes over 1 1/4 miles on turf on Feb. 7. A trip to Dubai for a $5 million turf race in March is doubtful, Miller said.
“We mentioned a race in Dubai but we’ve got a nice series of races here,” Miller said. “You know he likes the course and we don’t have to ship.
“We might consider, down the road, trying him on dirt.”
Another local options for Finnegans Wake in coming months is the $200,000 San Luis Rey Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on turf on March 21.
Owned by Donegal Racing and Rockingham Ranch, Finnegans Wake won the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar in late November, having finished 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 1 in his preceding start.
In the San Gabriel Stakes, Finnegans Wake finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of 8-5 favorite Tom’s Tribute, who ran fourth in his third straight loss. Tom’s Tribute won consecutive stakes at Del Mar last summer – the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on turf in July, and the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile in August.
Trainer Jim Cassidy said on Sunday that Tom’s Tribute did not put forth his best effort in the San Gabriel.
“He takes it easy on himself,” he said. “I might have to twist his arm a bit.”
Cassidy said that Tom’s Tribute may start in the $200,000 Arcadia Stakes over a mile on turf on Jan. 31, depending on how he trains in coming weeks.
“I’ll have to reevaluate,” Cassidy said. “He didn’t have that usual kick.”