San Francisco Mile Stakes 2014 Contenders & Odds
Las Vegas, NV - Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley, California will be the scene of the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile Stakes this Saturday, April 26. Horses three years old and upward will hit Golden Gate's turf track and go one mile searching for the winner's portion of the $100,000 purse.
A field of eight turfers have been confirmed for the San Francisco Mile - race 7 on Golden Gate Fields' Saturday card. Post time is 3:45 PM. Here is a brief look into the credentials of all eight entries for this Grade 3 stakes.
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Summer Hit - synthetic specialist made his graded stakes debut for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer last April 27 and finished a very good second behind Tigah in the 2013 edition of the San Francisco Mile having won six of nine career starts with a second and two third place finishes. Since that time he has won four of eight starts - an impressive score in the Grade 3 All American Stakes in May on this track, the minor Harry F. Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar in August, the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap here in November and an Allowance by five lengths on this track last time out March 15. Sprinkled in there are some sketchy results as well however - a sixth in the minor California Dreamin' Handicap in July, a disappointing seventh in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes September 28 and a ninth in the minor California Cup Turf Classic at Santa Anita January 25. He has posted an incredible seven wins and a second place finish in eight starts on this track and is expected to be near the top again Saturday. Russell Baze gets the call from post 6.
Tribal Jewel - another Jerry Hollendorfer gelding made his stakes debut January 12, 2013 and finished sixth in the Grade 3 San Fernando Stakes after three wins and three third place finishes in seven career starts. He was forced to the sideline for 14 months before returning March 8 to an Allowance Optional Claiming score on this track. Last time out was a second in a six furlong Allowance also here April 6. He now has 10 career starts with four wins, a second and three third place finishes and looks decent ahead of this week but he has just one start on turf - an off-the-board finish at Del Mar in 2012. Alejandro Gomez will be in the saddle from gate 5.
San Francisco Mile Stakes 2014 | Remaining Contenders
Longview Drive - the third and final Jerry Hollendorfer pupil has three thirds and four fourth place finishes in his last seven starts overall - all Allowance races in California except for a fourth in the minor Oakland Stakes in November 2013. He was at his best early in his career - three wins, a second and two third to start his career - 2011 and 2012. The best results came in a pair of minor stakes in 2011 - both wins and he had two straight thirds in graded stakes action - the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot in November 2011 and a third in the Grade 3 Sham Stales in January 2012. But he hasn't been nearly the same since - 16 races without a win. Longview Drive gets back to graded stakes action looking for his first win since October 2011 Saturday with William Antongeorgi aboard from post 3.
Hudson Landing - won this race in 2012 and finished sixth in 2013. He is a multiple graded stakes winner that has looked OK lately. He is coming off a second to Pepnic in an Allowance Optional Claiming here March 30 after a fourth in an Allowance and a pair of thirds in minor stakes action - the Bull Dog Handicap at Fresno in October and the Rolling Green Stakes here in September. He also had a second in the All American Stakes on this track in May. Hudson Landing has 45 career starts with 12 wins, eight seconds and eight third place finishes and looks for his first win since November 2012 (10 races) Saturday. Juan Hernandez has the mount from the rail.
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Horizontallyspeakin - is coming off an Allowance score at Santa Anita March 15 after another Allowance Optional Claiming score January 26 for trainer John Sadler and an ugly eighth in his stakes debut - the Grade 2 Sir Beaufort here December 26. He has just 11 career starts with four wins and a third place finish - Horizontallyspeakin looks to make it three straight wins Saturday with Jose Valdivia guiding him from post 7.
Pepnic - has 23 career starts with five wins, nine seconds and three third place finishes but Saturday marks his stakes debut. He has a win and two seconds in three starts this year - an Allowance Optional Claiming score last time out March 30 and two seconds in Allowance races. He has placed in six straight starts on this track but takes a huge leap up in competition with Dennis Carr aboard from post 4.
Fast Track - has five wins in 31 career starts but has won three straight starts ahead of this weekend - all Allowance races, all at Turf Paradise. He did have a good third in the Grade 3 All American Stakes on this track in November, 2012 but has struggled mightily in stakes company since. His three straight victories have created a little optimism for Fast Track but not a whole lot is expected. He departs from the outside post Saturday.
Pepper Crown - has placed in eight of nine career starts - four wins, two seconds and two third place finishes. He makes his stakes debut Saturday off a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming here March 30 and a fourth in an Allowance on this track March 15. Before that were four wins and two seconds. He makes a big jump in competition Saturday but has been good against lesser competition.