Pace issues in the San Gabriel, as Jeranimo clashes with The Usual Q. T. at Santa Anita Park
In a field of six for the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita Park, over a distance of 1 1/8miles on 16 January, 2012, a race restricted for 4-year-old and above males, and a race that clearly lacks a pace setter, the question that pops up is who will set the pace in the 1 1/8 mile test on turf.
Among the 6 runners is the newly turned 6-year-old Jeranimo, who last raced in November 2011, exiting a victory in the 1 1/16 mile long Grade 2 Citation Handicap over Hollywood Park’s turf under jockey Garrett Gomez.
Trained by Michael Pender for B. J. Wright, Jeranimo is also the favourite to win the San Gabriel, but there is another prospect, who hasn’t raced for seven months, and that is the California bred 6-year-old gelding, The Usual Q.T.
Trained by James M. Cassidy, The Usual Q. T., had his last start in the Grade 2 American Handicap on 28 May, 2011, where he finished a close third to winner Ryehill Dreamer in the 1 mile test at Hollywood Park’s turf course.
“We’ve got some speed if we want to use it, but it’s a mile and an eighth,” said Jim Cassidy, trainer of The Usual Q.T.
“But being off since last May, he’s going to be fresh, so he’ll be pulling early. As the race draws a little closer, I’ll examine the past performances a little closer.
“Somebody will inherit the lead. I don’t necessarily think it will be me, but somebody will be out there. Somebody’s going to try and steal it.”
Owned by Michael Nentwig and Don Van Kempen, The Usual Q. T. has raced quite a few times, coupled with Victor Espinoza, and in the last 14 races out of his 22-race career, the gelding hasn’t performed to a set pre-race strategy, and this time in the San Gabriel, it doesn’t look like the game plan would change all that much.
Probably the fans will find out who will do what when the gates open on 16 January, but one thing is for sure that Victor Espinoza will allow his ride to do what he does best.
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