Grade I Winners Square Off in San Gabriel
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Obviously will be the one to catch in the San Gabriel Stakes.
Two grade I winners will go toe-to-toe in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) Jan. 2 at Santa Anita Park, but they couldn't differ more in style and experience.
The speedy stalwart Obviously, winner of the Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) back-to-back in 2013 and 2014, will be the one to catch, as he always is, for trainer Phil D'Amato. Owned by Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino, the soon-to-be 8-year-old's ninth-place run in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) last time out was his seventh grade I try and 15th graded event overall (he has also won two editions of the Del Mar Mile and American Stakes).
Conversely, Glen Hill Farm's homebred Chiropractor burst onto the scene in his first graded start Nov. 28, when he closed from 10th-place to win the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) at odds of 14-1. The Tom Proctor-trained Kitten's Joy gelding only had a maiden win and an allowance score in six starts before the Hollywood Derby.
BALAN: Chiropractor Closes for Hollywood Derby Upset
The full field of 11—with three also-eligibles—isn't lacking of other graded winners, either, including another formidable contender from the D'Amato barn in Big John B. Back-to-back winner of the Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT), Michael House's Big John B finished second to Arlington Million (gr. IT) winner The Pizza Man last time out in the Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IIT) and should be a closing threat along with Chiropractor late in the 1 1/8-mile turf test.
The 2014 Brazilian Triple Crown winner Bal a Bali could also present a threat if he can improve upon a second-place finish in the Seabiscuit Handicap (gr. IIT) Nov. 27 at Del Mar.
Other than Chiropractor, the only horse currently in the gate who is coming off a victory is Poshsky. Owned by Gary Barber, Silver Ranch Stable, and Wachtel Stable, the Vronsky gelding made the grade on the Golden Gate Fields synthetic surface Nov. 29, taking the Berkeley Handicap (gr. III) by a neck last time out.
LAMARRA: Poshsky Rallies to Take Berkeley Handicap
Just before he shipped north, the Peter Miller-trained Poshsky won a 1 1/8-mile allowance/optional claimer on the Del Mar turf, defeating second-place Chiropractor by a half-length.
San Gabriel S. (gr. IIT)
Santa Anita Park , Saturday, January 02, 2016, Race 8
- 1 1/8m
- Turf
- $200,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 4:03 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Flamboyant (FR) | Brice Blanc | 118 | Patrick Gallagher | 20/1 |
| 2 | 2Big John B (FL) | Rafael Bejarano | 123 | Philip D'Amato | 7/2 |
| 3 | 3Poshsky (CA) | Victor Espinoza | 118 | Peter Miller | 12/1 |
| 4 | 4Texas Ryano (KY) | James Graham | 118 | Carla Gaines | 10/1 |
| 5 | 5Power Ped (KY) | Mario Gutierrez | 118 | Neil D. Drysdale | 12/1 |
| 6 | 6Class Leader (KY) | Kent J. Desormeaux | 118 | John W. Sadler | 20/1 |
| 7 | 7Bal a Bali (BRZ) | Flavien Prat | 118 | Richard E. Mandella | 7/2 |
| 8 | 8Obviously (IRE) | Joseph Talamo | 118 | Philip D'Amato | 3/1 |
| 9 | 9Wanstead Gardens (ON) | Gary L. Stevens | 118 | Neil French | 20/1 |
| 10 | 10Chiropractor (FL) | Corey S. Nakatani | 123 | Thomas F. Proctor | 4/1 |
| 11 | 11Macro Access (ARG) | Martin Garcia | 118 | Paulo H. Lobo | 20/1 |
| 12 | 12Kenjisstorm (KY) | Edwin A. Maldonado | 118 | Steve Knapp | 50/1 |
| 13 | 13Southern Freedom (KY) | Mike E. Smith | 118 | Jerry Hollendorfer | 15/1 |
| 14 | 14Quick Casablanca (CHI) | Tyler Baze | 118 | Ronald L. McAnally | 20/1 |