Mr. Commons sent as the favourite in the Arcadia Stakes after his sparkling performance in the Sir Beaufort Stakes
After a couple of second place finishes in the previous grade 2 events that Mr. Commons participated in last year, he finally made it right at the back-end of the year when he was pointed towards the Grade 2 Sir Beaufort Stakes Santa Anita Park’s turf course, over a mile on 26 December, 2011.
Against seven other 3-year-old males, a lineup that included the likes of Ultimate Eagle, Cozy Kitten and Comma to the Top, all failed to bid Au Revior, 2011, on a winning note, except the Kentucky bred John A. Shirreffs trained colt, Mr. Commons, who finally registered his first graded stakes win with a powerful effort.
With a 3 ½ length win over Irish Art in second, and Ultimate Eagle in third, Mr. Commons has rightly earned a clear standout in the Grade 2, $150,000 Arcadia Stakes at Santa Anita Park’s turf course on 4 February, 2012.
St. George Farm Racing’s Mr. Commons is the son of Artie Schiller, out of mare Joustabout by Apalachee.
Mr. Commons will go against seven other 4-year-old and above colts and gelding in the 1 mile test over turf at Santa Anita Park on 4 February, 2012.
Jockey Mike Smith, who has missed a ride on Mr. Commons, only on two occasions in the runner’s 10 career starts so far, will be aboard the 4-year-old once again in the Arcadia Stakes, and the pair will break from far outside post in the eight-horse Arcadia field.
Mr. Commons has won twice at the Santa Anita Park's turf course, once in his maiden special weight race and second in the most recent start, in the Grade 2 Sir Beaufort Stakes.
Four days ago, Mr. Commons handily worked six furlongs over at Hollywood Park, covering the distance in 1 minute and 12 seconds flat, as he stacked in another sparkling workout ahead of the Arcadia Stakes.
He will be sent as the 11 to 10 favourite to win the race, and with jockey Mike Smith aboard, the pair will have their chances against a less ominous lineup compared to the Sir Beaufort Stakes.
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