Handicapper's Corner: 2023 Sanford Stakes (G3)

Gold Sweep looks for hat trick in Sanford

By: Laurie Ross, Pedigree Power

The $175,000 six-furlong Grade 3 Sanford Stakes on Saratoga's opening weekend is the first of three graded dirt events for 2-year-olds held during the meet. The others are the Saratoga Special (G2) on August 12 and the Hopeful (G1) on September 4.

Only four horses have swept the series: Regret (1914), Campfire (1916), Dehere (1993), and City Zip (2000).

 Here's some trivia: Man O'War suffered his only defeat in the 1919 Sanford to Upset.  

A field of ten colts and geldings will contest this year's Sanford in race 10, with a 6:19 PM post time.

Let's take a look at the field.

Gold Sweep (Speightstown - Wonder Brew, by Giant's Causeway) lived up to his name by sweeping to a 9-length victory in the Tremont Stakes. The Chestnut colt is a grandson of Canadian Champion 3-year-old Filly Ginger Brew. The Steve Asmussen trainee owns the highest speed ratings in the field and is the one to beat. Contender.

In his Belmont debut, Call the Cavalry (Khozan - Song and Delight, by Songandaprayer) tracked the speed from the inside, then cut the corner and opened up by two lengths. Call the Cavalry is bred for speed. His dam is half to Ohio Derby hero Delightful Kiss and other blacktype earners. His speed rating wasn't all that, but he could improve in his second start. Ken McPeek scores with 30% 2-year-old maiden winners making their second start. Contender.

Dickens (Adios Charlie - Malibu Melody, by Malibu Moon) was professional in his Gulfstream debut. He dueled for the lead and drew off by two lengths under a hand ride. Five rivals returned, and three hit the board in their next start. Dickens hails from the female family of multiple stakes winner Lindsay Frolic, who bore veteran graded winner Super Frolic, Florida favorite Stormy Frolic, and many other blacktype earners. Trainer Juan Alvarado is 0 for 5, with 2-year-old maiden winners making their second start. However, Dickens owns the second-highest speed rating in the field and is worth watching. Exotics.

Triple Trea (Bolt d'Oro - Urloveisasymphony, by Forest Wildcat) looked impressive in his Woodbine debut, closing from the back of the pack and going away by 1 ½ lengths under a hand ride. He was flattered by two next-out winners and a second-place finisher. By last year's leading Freshman sire Bolt d'Oro, Triple Trea has scattered blacktype earners in his female family, including multiple graded winning turf router Phantom Currency. Trainer Barbara Minshall gave Triple Trea a pre-race bullet 5-furlong work at Woodbine, and the colt owns the second-highest late-pace speed rating in the field. However, she is 0 for 5, with 2-year-old maiden winners making their second start. Exotics.

Jive (St Patrick's Day - Skylarbdancing, by Sky Mesa) is by first-crop sire and American Pharoah's full little brother St Patrick's Day. Jive was green in his Gulfstream Park debut, swerving to the right at the break and again in the stretch. To his credit, he targeted and passed other horses and held off a challenger to win by ¾ length. Four rivals returned, and one hit the board in their next start. Philip Serpe takes over the colt's training, but he's 0 for 4 with horses making their first start after the trainer switch. Jive has ability and could be any kind. Exotics.

Market Street (Street Sense - Quality Way, by Quality Road) was green in his Ellis Park debut over a sloppy track. He leaped out of the gate straight into the lead, was rank, and swerved to the outside but settled down the backstretch. He wandered down the lane on his left lead like he was on his way home after a pub crawl, but despite this, the competition never came close as Market Street galloped under the wire 3 ¾ lengths in front. Market Street's dam is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Super Ninety Nine, and his second dam is a full sister to multiple Grade 1 heroine Exogenous.   Wayne Lukas is 0 for 3 with 2-year-old maiden winners making their second start, but all 3 hit the board. Longshot exotics shot.

The rest must improve to have a say.

 

Analysis

Favorites have won six of the last ten editions of the Sanford. The majority of winners benefitted from a pacesetting or pressing trip. Only two Sanford heroes lost ground in their previous start.

Gold Sweep looks much the best. Triple Trea, Call the Cavalry, and Dickens could score if Gold Sweep regresses from his huge Tremont victory. Jive and Market Street could surprise.

9. Gold Sweep (1-2)

1. Call the Cavalry (8-1)

7. Triple Trea (10-1)

3. Dickens (8-1)