Practical Move takes inside path to San Felipe triumph

Mar 05, 2023 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Practical Move parlayed a ground-saving trip into victory Saturday in
the $400,000 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita, a Road to the
Kentucky Derby series
prep contested over 1 1/16 miles.

Racing in a pocket behind pacesetter Hejazi much of the way, Practical Move
dove through an opening inside that stablemate approaching the quarter pole and
drew away through the stretch to win by 2 1/2 lengths under Ramon Vazquez.

Owned by Leslie Amestoy, Jean Pierre Amestoy Jr., and Roger Beasley, the Tim
Yakteen-trained Practical Move covered the course on a fast track in 1:42.01 and
paid $10.40 as the 4-1 fourth choice in a field of nine.

Geaux Rocket Ride, the 2.70-1 favorite in only his second career start,
earned place honors by 1 1/4 lengths over Skinner. Hejazi weakened to fourth and
was followed by Fort Bragg, Mr Fisk, Chase the Chaos, and Genius Jimmy.
Bluegrass Go Go was eased, while National Treasure was a key scratch from the
San Felipe earlier in the day.

This was the second stakes win for Practical Move, who upset the Dec. 17

Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at 10-1. That followed a third-place effort in
the seven-furlong Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar.

'He is a phenomenally gifted horse. I am amazed at how strong he is and how
he has matured from a two-year-old to a three-year-old. Everything has fallen
into place,' Yakteen said.

'I plan to start him again. I want to leave the canvas blank now and we'll make
the call later, but I think he will have one more start before the Derby.'

Practical Move was the second Derby prep-winning son of Practical Joke on
Saturday. The other was Raise Cain, who sprung a 23-1 upset of the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct. Practical Move was produced by the multiple stakes-placed Ack
Naughty, by Afleet Alex.

Bred in Kentucky by Head of Plains Partners and the trainer Chad Brown,
Practical Move last sold for $230,000 as an OBS juvenile in training.

Practical Move earned 50 Derby qualifying points, boosting his total to 60.
Geaux Rocket Ride earned 20 points, Skinner 15 points. Hejazi 10 points, and
Fort Bragg five points.