Takeaways from 2023 San Felipe

Mar 07, 2023 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

The third of four Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifiers at Santa Anita this year, the March
4 San Felipe (G2) awarded points on a 50-20-15-10-5 basis
toward a berth in a 20-horse field at Churchill
Downs on May 6. 

1. Convincing
win stamps Practical Move as serious contender

Practical Move
had never finished first (breaking his maiden via disqualification) prior to
the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in mid-December, and while he
impressed recording a 10-1 upset (105 Brisnet Speed rating) over a trio of
well-fancied Bob Baffert-trained rivals that afternoon, bettors remained
skeptical, overlooking Practical Move as the 4.20-1 fourth choice among nine
rivals in his San Felipe comeback.

The up-close stalker made doubters look foolish, unleashing
another sharp turn of foot into the stretch to draw clear with a sixteenth
remaining, and Practical Move rolled home to a 2 1/2-length decision with Ramon
Vazquez.

Owned by Pierre Jean & Leslie Amestoy Jr. and Roger
Beasley, the Tim Yakteen-trained colt received commendable 102 Speed and 107 Late Pace ratings, and Practical Move recorded
the second-fastest win from 16 Kentucky Derby qualifiers in 2023, only one
point slower than champion Forte in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream
Park.

Sire Practical Joke is known more for
sprinters/middle-distance types earlier in his stud career, but Practical Move
has thrived in a trio of two-turn starts, breaking his maiden and recording a
pair of graded stakes wins. The bay three-year-old appears to be drawing from
his stamina-laced female family — Practical Move is out of a mare by Belmont
(G1) winner Afleet Alex and closely related to Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) and
Pimlico Special (G3) winner Commissioner — and Practical Move has finished full
of run in both 1 1/16-mile stakes attempts.

2. Encouraging
stakes debuts for Geaux Rocket Ride, Skinner

Geaux Rocket Ride,
a romping wire-to-wire maiden winner at six furlongs the first time out on Jan.
29, was bet down to 2.70-1 favoritism in his second outing, and the Richard
Mandella-trained son of Candy Ride handled the added ground and class hike,
finishing a clear second. The early/presser moved forward from a Speed figure
perspective, netting a 99 number, and Geaux Rocket Ride looks more than capable
of further progression in the coming weeks.

Last-out maiden scorer Skinner
trailed after a slow start and didn’t get into gear until the far turn,
utilizing a fine closing kick for third. By Curlin, the John Shirreffs-trained
colt’s Speed and Late Pace numbers are increasing, and Skinner may have more to
offer after the solid showing.

3. National
Treasure scratches

One of four former Baffert trainees entered by Yakteen, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) third-placer National Treasure was scratched due to
a foot issue. The remaining transfers — Hejazi
(fourth), Fort Bragg (fifth), and Mr Fisk (sixth) — finished out of the
money in the San Felipe.