Meet the Contenders: 2023 San Felipe Stakes
Practical Move winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos (Photo by Benoit Photo)
March 3rd, 2023
Meet the horses running in the 2023 San Felipe S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well among the field.
#1 CHASE THE CHAOS **
Chase the Chaos captures the El Camino Real Derby with an exultant Armando Ayuso (Photo by Vassar Photography)
Pro: Never out of the money and earned solid win in El Camino Real Derby.
Con: Well versed on synthetic surface, but questions remain concerning dirt ability.
#2 NATIONAL TREASURE *****
National Treasure gallop at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Photography)
Pro: Not embarrassed against division’s best at two; remains open to improvement.
Con: Expected more in Sham (G3) with benefit of fast pace.
#3 PRACTICAL MOVE ****
Practical Move wins the Los Alamitos Futurity (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Pro: Upset Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) when last seen; recent works have been strong.
Con: With bigger prizes down the road, may find himself a bit short off the bench.
#4 BLUEGRASS GO GO *
Pro: Has a touch of speed and thus figures to be in the mix early.
Con: Three-start maiden appears overmatched on paper.
#5 GENIUS JIMMY *
Pro: Addition of Lasix, blinkers produced intended wake up in turf maiden.
Con: Significant class hike and surface switch lessen appeal.
#6 CRYPTO RIDE *
Pro: Stakes-placed at two, albeit versus California-breds.
Con: Numerous losses against lesser make him fitting longshot.
#7 HEJAZI ****
Pro: $3.55 million juvenile a work in progress, but plenty fast.
Con: Gets stronger class test this time and price will be uninspiring.
#8 GEAUX ROCKET RIDE **
Pro: Posted mildly surprising win first out, earning 97 Brisnet Speed rating.
Con: Lacks foundation that other contenders possess.
#9 FORT BRAGG ***
Pro: Crossed the wire first in both starts over this track; remains with upside.
Con: A magnet for trouble in several trips last season.
#10 SKINNER ***
Pro: Turned in a breakout performance to graduate by more than three lengths last month.
Con: Outran in both prior stakes attempts and might bounce facing tougher.
#11 MR FISK ***
Pro: Close second to promising Reincarnate before breaking his maiden in January.
Con: Figures don’t quite stack up yet to some of the other contenders.
