The Eddie D. Stakes attracts a full field at Santa Anita Park
The inaugural Grade 3, $100,000 Eddie D. Stakes, formerly known as the Grade 3 Morvich Stakes has drawn a full field of 13, 3-year-old and above colts and geldings will get underway on the opening day of the Santa Anita Park’s autumn meet, as the contestants
test their mettle in the 6 ½ furlongs sprint.
Down the hillside turf course, the one-two of the Pirate’s Bounty Stakes, Comma to the Top and Mensa Heat will renew their rivalry at Santa Anita on 28, September, 2012.
Trained by Peter Miller for owner Gary Barber, Comma to the Top had an excellent trip in the 6 furlongs sprint at Del Mar on 5 September, as the 4-year-old gelded son of Bwana Charlie was settled in third by jockey M. Pedroza, only to go three wide on the
final turn and lead the pack in upper stretch over the Del Mar’s all-weather track and post a 1 ¾ length victory over, Mensa Heat.
Trained by Doug O’Neill, Mensa Heat did not have a bad race by any stretch of the imagination, but the second place finish should be credited to jockey E. Maldonado, who shook loose the 6-year-old gelding a little late.
The pair was dwelling in fourth at the bend, but closed in three-wide to turn in an amazing turn of foot to get a second place finish.
The son of Unusual Heat had a great opportunity to break his losing streak, being winless all this season in 6 starts, but has been consistent enough to gain a placed finish in four of those starts.
Comma to the Top on the other hand bounced back well from his fourth place finish to winner, Amazombie, in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on 29 July, 2012, at Del Mar to win the Pirate’s Bounty Stakes.
Other contender for the Eddie D. Stakes is Unbridled’s Note, who has been making some noise on the east coast, ships in on the back of a third place finish in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes.
M. Pedroza retains the ride on Comma to the Top, and the pair will break from post number 6, while J. Hernandez E. Maldonado just after two starts to ride Mensa Heat, and the duo will look to post their first victory of the 2012 season, breaking from gate
number 11.
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