2009 Kentucky Derby trail: Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes

The $200k San Felipe is the final major local prep for the Santa Anita Derby (April 4th), and the lone stakes winner (Pioneerof The Nile) looms a standout in the field of seven.

Pioneerof The Nile has won his last two graded synthetic routes at this distance (8.5f) since moving to the Bob Baffert barn, and today’s pilot Garrett Gomez is 2-2 with him. The son of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker does not have to win this as he has more than enough graded earnings to make it into the Derby starting gate, but the class of the field is training forwardly and should get the job done at low odds.

Shafted (Mineshaft) has won 2 of 4 route starts and looked good in local allowance win at this distance on Jan 2nd. $150k Keeneland sales grad failed to fire in the Robert Lewis Stakes (replay above), but he has the talent to rebound at a price.

New Bay earned a quality speed rating in local sprint entry level tally on Feb 16th. $310k purchase is 2-2 at Santa Anita, and Richard Mandella gives confident young rider Joe Talamo a leg up.

3-time winner Feisty Suances is the one to catch, but the state bred sprinter might find this distance out of his reach. Best shot to hit the board is to sneak away on a soft pace.

Kelly Leak was disqualified from a graded score last year and has been competitive in 6 of 7 lifetime starts on turf/synthetic. He sports a local bullet and will be finishing.

Jeranimo (Congaree) owns tactical speed and landed the place at this distance last out. He ran well all three outings and is one of several with the ability to hit the board.

He’s Really Big graduated in a flat mile maiden claimer on Jan 14th, then came back and nabbed a local starter allowance affair at this distance on Feb 22nd. Improving sort is in deep water versus stakes foes.

Top 3 Selections: (1) Pioneerof The Nile, (2) Shafted, (3) New Bay

Longshot To Watch: Feisty Suances

Tomorrow, I will take a look at the Tampa Bay Derby and Rebel Stakes.

Photo Credit: newscom.com