CALIFORNIA-BRED RYE & FLORIDA INVADER NESSY HEAD WIDE OPEN MARATHON GIII SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO STAKES

By Mike Willman —-

RYE
Benoit Photo

CALIFORNIA-BRED RYE & FLORIDA INVADER NESSY HEAD WIDE OPEN MARATHON GRADE III, $100,000 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO STAKES ON SUNDAY AT 1 ¾ MILES ON TURF

ARCADIA, Calif. (April 19, 2018)—Reunited with Kent Desormeaux, California-bred Rye would appear to rate a big chance, along with Florida invader Nessy and speedy A Red Tie Day, in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at Santa Anita. Once regarded as one of the most prestigious turf races in the world, the 79th running of the San Juan Capistrano has attracted a field of seven 3-year-olds and up at a mile and three quarters over the Camino Real Turf Course.

RYE

Owner: Joseph P. Morey, Jr. Revocable Trust Trainer: William Morey
Off as the 2-1 favorite in the 1 1/8 miles California Cup Turf Classic versus state-breds two starts back on Jan. 27, this 5-year-old full horse by English Channel was far back early and rallied to win by a head under Desormeaux, who has guided him to four wins from six tries. An even fifth to “A-Lister” Itsinthepost in the Grade II San Luis Rey Stakes at a mile and one half on turf March 24, Rye takes a significant drop in class and is thus reunited with Desormeaux, who did not ride him last time. With an overall mark of 17-8-0-4, Rye, like the entire San Juan field, will be trying the marathon mile and three quarters on turf for the first time in his career.

NESSY

Owner: Sierra Farm Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Most recently a close third in a Grade II stakes going 1 3/8 miles on turf at Gulfstream Park March 3, this 5-year-old Flower Alley gelding will make his Southern California debut with Mike Smith in the saddle, a sure indication that he’s well spotted as he seeks his first graded stakes win. Best suited as a deep closer, Nessy rallied to be second, beaten a half length, in a Grade III stakes going 1 ½ miles on turf at Gulfstream two starts back on Jan. 27 and he rallied from far back to finish second, beaten three quarters of a length, in another Grade III at a mile and one half on turf Oct. 19 at Keeneland. With an overall mark of 20-2-6-6, the hillside component will be something new to him as Smith tries to procure a comfortable position well off the early pace.

A RED TIE DAY

Owner: Scott Herbertson Trainer: Ari Herbertson
Although he’s long in the equine tooth at age eight, this Indygo Shiner gelding is still in demand, evidenced by the fact he’s been claimed out of his last two starts, a $32,000 win on Feb. 11 and a fourth place finish for $50,000 on March 29—both races at a flat mile on turf. In a field that appears light on early foot, he’ll get the services of Tyler Baze, who will likely put run on his mind the first half mile down the hillside. With an overall mark of 30-7-0-5, he’s won six out of 13 races over the Santa Anita turf and looms dangerous as he seeks his first graded stakes win.

THE GRADE III SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 6 of 9 Approximate post time 2 p.m. PT

1. A Red Tie Day—Tyler Baze—122
2. Nessy—Mike Smith—122
3. Evo Campo—Drayden Van Dyke—119
4. Lazzam—Corey Nakatani—122
5. Principal Bob—Mario Gutierrez—122
6. Moonman—Brice Blanc—122
7. Rye—Kent Desormeaux—122

First post time for a nine-race card on Sunday is at 11:30 am. Admission gates open at 10 a.m. For additional racing information, please visit santaanita.com.

About Us

Santa Anita Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is North America’s premier supplier of virtual online horseracing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.