By Margaret Ransom
In years past, the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (G2) was considered an important stop on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Even though 2016’s winner, Nyquist, went on to win the Derby and the Preakness (G1), the race has become Santa Anita’s forgotten 3-year-old feature and almost an afterthought for Derby consideration.
Perhaps the decline is due to a lack of quality runners recently, or that it is run at 7 furlongs (shorter than most other Derby preps), or the date on the calendar. It is still hard to overlook the slew of good horses who have won the San Vicente in years past.
In addition to Nyquist, other notable names on the winner’s list include Derby victors Hill Gail, Swaps, Lucky Debonair, Majestic Prince and Silver Charm. The highly regarded Nadal won the San Vicente last year before winning the Rebel Stakes (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1), but an injury ended his undefeated career.
Nadal is about to start his first season at stud at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan. On Saturday, five 3-year-olds (Mr. Impossible was scratched) are set to start although no Derby points are on the line. Nonetheless, the race still serves as a solid prep for the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 6 and/or the Santa Anita Derby (G1) a month later – both Derby points qualifiers.
Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, naturally, has two of the five in the field – 8-5 favorite Concert Tour and 5-2 choice Freedom Fighter.
Baffert has won this race a record 10 times (1997, Silver Charm; 1999, Exploit; 2003, Kafwain; 2005, Fusaichi Rock Star; 2006, Too Much Bling; 2011, The Factor; 2012, Drill; 2013, Shakin It Up; 2015, Lord Nelson; and 2020 Nadal).
The late Hall of Famer Bill Shoemaker has the jockey record for most wins with eight: (1955, Swaps; 1956, Terrang; 1964, Will Rad; 1965, Lucky Debonair; 1966, Saber Mountain; 1967, Tumble Wind; 1976, Thermal Energy; and 1980, Raise A Man). Nyquist owns the stakes record for the distance on the dirt main track when he stopped the clock for the 7 furlongs in 1:20.71.
The Southern California weather calls for highs in the mid-70s under sunny skies, so a fast track is likely with a firm turf course to its inside.
The San Vicente is the day’s seventh race and post time is 3:30 p.m. PT.
San Vicente Stakes (G2) Field, Post Positions, Odds
The field by post-position, with jockeys, trainers in parentheses, odds, and pedigree:
1. Freedom Fighter (Drayden Van Dyke, Bob Baffert) 5-2
Violence—Canadian Ballet, by City Zip
2. The Chosen Vron (Mike Smith, Eric Kruljac) 5-2
Vronsky—Tiz Molly, by Tiz Wonderful
3. Mr. Impossible (SCRATCHED)
4. Uncle Boogie (Abel Cedillo, Andrew Lerner) 12-1
Ride On Curlin—Rated Xtreme, by Magna Graduate
5. Found My Ball (Mario Gutierrez, Doug O’Neill) 3-1
Square Eddie—Silar Rules, by Ten Most Wanted
6. Concert Tour (Joel Rosario, Bob Baffert) 8-5
Street Sense–Purse Strings, by Tapit
California native and lifelong horsewoman Margaret Ransom is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program. She got her start in racing working in the publicity departments at Calder Race Course and Hialeah Park, as well as in the racing office at Gulfstream Park in South Florida. She then spent six years in Lexington, KY, at BRISnet.com, where she helped create and develop the company’s popular newsletters: Handicapper’s Edge and Bloodstock Journal.
After returning to California, she served six years as the Southern California news correspondent for BloodHorse, assisted in the publicity department at Santa Anita Park and was a contributor to many other racing publications, including HorsePlayer Magazine and Trainer Magazine. She then spent seven years at HRTV and HRTV.com in various roles as researcher, programming assistant, producer and social media and marketing manager.
She has also walked hots and groomed runners, worked the elite sales in Kentucky for top-class consignors and volunteers for several racehorse retirement organizations, including CARMA.
In 2016, Margaret was the recipient of the prestigious Stanley Bergstein Writing Award, sponsored by Team Valor, and was an Eclipse Award honorable mention for her story, “The Shocking Untold Story of Maria Borell,” which appeared on USRacing.com. The article and subsequent stories helped save 43 abandoned and neglected Thoroughbreds in Kentucky and also helped create a new animal welfare law known as the “Borell Law.”
Margaret’s very first Breeders’ Cup was at Hollywood Park in 1984 and she has attended more than half of the Breeders’ Cups since. She counts Holy Bull and Arrogate as her favorite horses of all time. She lives in Pasadena with her longtime beau, Tony, two Australian Shepherds and one Golden Retriever.
