Romanesque gets the nod in San Vicente Stakes

Just five sophomores will jaunt seven-eighths on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $200,000 San Vicente S. (G2) on Saturday, but the abundance of quality more than makes up for the limited quantity of runners in the heat. Each of the quintet of three-year-olds has impressed to this stage of their respective development which makes this an especially exciting dash to me. 

San Vicente Wagers

• $30 win #3 Romanesque ($30)
• $10 exacta 3 with 5 ($10)

Trainer Bob Baffert has a pair of contenders in the field, with much of the attention likely going towards $3.2 million purchase #2 Barnes, but I prefer his other entrant in this particular contest. #3 Romanesque debuted at Del Mar on November 23 and signaled that he was a nice prospect following his 2 1/4-length score. Breaking from the rail as he went postward at 5-2 odds, the son of Practical Joke didn’t get off to a perfect start but raced professionally, overcoming pressure for much of the tilt before slowly pulling away in the latter portion of the event. 

Romanesque, who brought the gavel down at $435,000 as a yearling, got stronger as the race went on in his debut showing and has since posted four morning drills in preparation for his stakes bow. Bred in the Keystone State, the bay will likely flash more early foot and force the pace from either second or third to the top of the lane. I like the addition of Mike Smith in the silks and will give the youngster top billing. 

#5 Bullard has done nothing wrong from a pair of lifetime tries to date for conditioner Michael McCarthy and rates an obvious chance on this occasion. The $675,000 yearling purchase rallied to a fine first-out victory at Del Mar on September 1, and following a short layoff, the son of the superb Gun Runner put in a furious late burst to romp in the Bob Hope S. (G3) on the same strip by 4 3/4 lengths. He has been visually impressive and the numbers back it up as he’s registered Brisnet Speed figures of 92 and 99 from this pair of performances. The Kentucky-bred has posted a quartet of morning drills on the course in advance of Saturday and will commence his powerful late run approaching the turn for home beneath Umberto Rispoli.