A field of 7 line up for Saturday’s 50k Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate Fields. It is a competitive group and it will be interesting to see who is able to come out on top. There is a ton of legit sprint speed in here and I am excited to see some of our top sprinters throw down. Last week’s Golden Nugget Stakes did not go to plan for the blog, so let’s get back on track this week. I am going to go over each runner in the field below.
Here is a list of the past 5 Oakland Stakes winners:
2018- Touched by Autism
2017- Right Hand Man
2016- Star Student
2015- Star Student
2014- Outside Nashville
1- Oiseau de Guerre (Couton/ McCarthy)- This 5yo War Front gelding is looking for his 4th consecutive win (all at 6f over the tapeta). He has always shown some talent in the past, but he has really seemed to blossom once he got onto the tapeta. Breaking from the rail usually isn’t too ideal, but there is other speed in here so he can take back get a comfortable spot. He broke from the rail in his last race and I would imagine he is going to sit a similar trip to that race. In that last start on the far turn he was beginning to make his move off the pace, but had to check pretty bad and fell out of it. He would regain his momentum and rally on to get the win. Will he be able to get up in time in the Oakland Stakes?
2- Baja Sur (Hernandez/ Wright)- An impressive 4 for 5 lifetime. Ran 2nd by a 1/2 length in the Harris Farm Stakes at Fresno. Has a ton of early zip and would expect him to be in the mix early (all of his races he’s been on the lead, but he does seem ratable) Races at Emerald Downs were solid and he looks like an improving 3yo. All 5 of his races have been on dirt, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the tapeta. His last race in the Harris Farm Stakes was really odd– after breaking from the inside he took the lead, then fell into 2nd and was under pressure to keep up with new leader Myfriendemma, then found his stride again on the turn, swung out into the 2 path and stayed on well. Here is a replay of his last win below.
3- Smokey Image (Martinez/ Gaines): Former NorCal 2yo powerhouse makes his way up North for the first time since his juvenile season. Surprisingly has never raced at Golden Gate Fields. More of a precocious type as his last win came in January of his 3yo season. 6yo gelding has been knocking heads with state-bred stakes company down south. Some of his figures from 2018 put him in the ballpark here, but his 3 races this year have not been close. Maybe the return to Northern California will get him back to his winning ways.
4- Quick and Silver (Amador/ Ramos): Hard knocking 8yo has serious speed and is coming off of a close 2nd to Sequentially at the 40k claimer level. Going to face a lot of other speed in here and has not shown much ability in the past to sit-off others. Won a claimer on Sep 22 and ran .41 seconds faster than Oiseau de Guerre did in an Allowance race earlier that day. Amador opts for Quick and Silver over stablemate My Friend Emma. Wheeling back in just 13 days and moves back up to stakes company. A lot of factors in here that he is going to have to overcome.
5- Sigur Ros (Gonzalez/ Mathis): Improving 5yo gelding is an impressive 4 for 5 lifetime over the tapeta. Won at the 16k claiming level 2 back by 6 lengths, and then at the 25k level in his last start by 4 lengths. While he is jumping up a ton in class to the stakes level here, his last race was fast and very impressive– he stopped the clock in a swift 1:08.64. Looks like the speed of the speed in here and his last race was legit. Improving type steps up to a top level here and faces plenty of other speed horses.
6- Indian Zip (Alvarado/ Steiner): Coming off a close 2nd to morning line favorite Oiseau de Guerre in his last start (margin says 1/2 length but it looked more like a neck). 3yo Indian Evening gelding has continued to improve throughout the year and his last puts him in the mix here. Can take back and should have a lot of speed in front of him to set things up. In 7 lifetime starts at 6f, he has 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds.
7- My Friend Emma (Monroy/ Ramos): Former stakes winner was last seen running 6th in the California Flag Handicap at Santa Anita on turf. 2 starts back was 3rd in the Harris Farm Stakes. 3 starts back was a close 2nd to Oiseau de Guerre over today’s course and distance. Classy and has been competitive at this level. Form seems to be tailing a off a little bit but his maybe a return to the tapeta will get him back to form. Has speed but not sure if he will be on the lead since he’s on the outside. Could see him making an early move to grab the lead though. Amador hops off to ride stablemate Quick and Silver in here.
Pace Scenario:
There is a ton of speed in here and it is tough to decipher who is going to send and who is going to take back. Sigur Ros and Quick and Silver are the 2 I think are most likely to send. Baja Sur could be forced to go with them from the inside, but has the ability to rate if needed. My Friend Emma has a lot of speed too and I see him rating just off the leaders from the outside. Smokey Image, and Indian Zip are going to get in a comfortable stalking spot. Oiseau de Guerre will be close to them waiting for thing to unfold up front.
Selections: 1-6-2-7
#1 Oiseau de Guerre (2/1)– Is going good right now and should get a great setup. Loves the tapeta.
#6 Indian Zip (8/1)– Should sit a nice trip and will try to get the jump on Oiseau de Guerre. Improving 3yo.
#2 Baja Sur (5/2)– Lightly raced 3yo has some races that make him competitive here. How will he handle the tapeta?
#7 My Friend Emma (6/1)– Should sit a good trip on the outside and I think he will be able to hang on for a piece underneath.
NorCal Horse Racing News 