1/15-16 (SA): Sham (G3), San Fernando, Santa Ynez, El Encino (G2's)

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Instead of having an interesting Strub series, Santa Anita and its ridiculous stakes schedule has made it possible for John Sadler to keep his two top 4yos apart without even having to ship either one out of town.

Despite winning separate stakes for straight 3yos on the same day at the same track, Twirling Candy and Sidney's Candy won't clash in the second leg, the San Fernando. Twirling Candy will simply await the final leg, the Strub.

Will Sidney's Candy, presuming a good effort this weekend, return for a showdown? Unlikely.

In all probability, Sidney's Candy will simply sit the next one out, just as his stablemate is doing here.

If for some reason, Sadler decides Sidney's Candy needs another race 3 weeks from now, he still won't have to pit him against Twirling Candy in the Strub.

The day after the Strub, a 9f race for 4yos, Santa Anita will also run the San Antonio, a 9f race for 4yos and up.

It's pure genius.

Aren't the two of them just sprinters anyway? LOL

Why in the world would a trainer pit his horses against each other in 100/150k races? it sucks that they are both controlled by Sadler but how can you blame him, doesnt he and owners make more money if he wins two races instead of a first and a second. I would have sent Sid to GP for the Donn. I think he could win that race and it would be a nice G1 for the stallion page.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Aren't the two of them just sprinters anyway? LOL

Freddy, they cease to be sprinters when they are handed cream puff 4 or 5 (allowance caliber) horse fields to devour with, on top of everything else, favorable pace scenarios.

Put Sidney's Candy in a real route race (ie The Kentucky Derby) and see how he fares. Twirling Candy, at least sprinting, seems a bit more tactical, but even he in his route races has shown nothing but unbridled speed. Expect more Goodwood-like efforts from him down the road if he ever is asked to go outside of his comfort zone (4 horse allowance fields where he is allowed to take out any rival at any point in the race so long as he is "much the best").

Why in the world would a trainer pit his horses against each other in 100/150k races? it sucks that they are both controlled by Sadler but how can you blame him, doesnt he and owners make more money if he wins two races instead of a first and a second.

I only expected one to show up for the San Fernando, but nonetheless, CJ's question allowed me to go on my soapbox for the millionth time. The point to my rant was that I wouldn't expect Sidney's Candy to race against Twirling Candy even if the purse was $1 million (ie the Big Cap).

I would have sent Sid to GP for the Donn. I think he could win that race and it would be a nice G1 for the stallion page.

As usual, you always have the best interests of the sport at heart.

Some fan.