San Felipe

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A talented field of nine will step forward to compete in the $250,000 San

Felipe S. (G2) at Santa Anita on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile contest is

highlighted by Sham S. (G3) winner BOB AND JOHN (Seeking the Gold), who

impressed with a 4 1/2-length victory in that outing. However, in order to offer

more value, we will go with maiden winner NEW JOYSEY JEFF (Bright Launch) to

pull off the upset.

The Mark Glatt trainee broke his maiden on the turf here in early January and

then ran a solid third in the San Vicente S. (G2) in his next outing. In his

last start, New Joysey Jeff closed to be a late second to REFINERY (Victory

Gallop) against

allowance company. He is bred for distance, out of the Dynaformer mare Dyna

Peak, and is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Dyna Da Wyna (Doc's Leader). New

Joysey Jeff has good

late speed and the extra sixteenth of a mile should work to his benefit. Alex

Solis has the call.

Bob and John has finished no worse than fourth in seven career starts, that

coming in his career bow. The Bob Baffert-conditioned dark bay has annexed two

of three outings at Santa Anita and has produced triple-digit BRIS Speed figures

in his last two attempts, including a career-high 106 in the Sham. He cuts back

in distance here, but the removed ground should not pose any trouble. Regular

rider Victor Espinoza retains the mount.

Refinery captured his second career victory against

allowance foes last out, defeating our projected winner by 2 1/4-lengths,

but has not seen much success over the Arcadia, California, track and

faded in his only start past a mile. Keep in mind for the exotics with Tyler Baze in the irons.

POINT DETERMINED (Point Given), the second of three uncoupled entries for

Baffert, enters his stakes debut in impressive form, drilling a half-mile in :47

4/5 on Wednesday. He defeated a field of four allowance/optional claiming rivals

last out. The bay came home second to One Union (Dixie Union) two back, his only

real start versus classy opponents. Although we won't recommend for the win, he

should be kept in mind for the gimmicks.

SKY DIVING (Aptitude) broke his maiden in dominant fashion two back,

defeating his competitors by 14 lengths despite a bumpy trip. In his stakes

debut last out, the dark bay sophomore came home second to multiple stakes

winner Keagan (Basket Weave) in the Turf Paradise Derby and could hit the board here in his fourth start

for Baffert.

RACKETEER (Awesome Again) will be making his first two-turn start in this one

and we will give him a race at a route. A.P. WARRIOR (A.P. Indy)

has not been able to break through against stakes competition, but

will be making his first start for John Shirreffs and could improve.

SIMON PURE (Silver Deputy) just broke his maiden in his second attempt earlier this month and

probably needs another race before testing this level of company.

BLAZING SUNSET (Talk Is Money) seems to be overmatched in this spot.