Sanford Stakes 2012: Field Overview

Sunday marks the 98th running of the Grade II Sanford Stakes: a race long since considered to be one of the premier events for 2 year old horses. Historically, the Sanford has produced champions such as Affirmed and Secretariat. In more recent years, Afleet Alex, Scat Daddy and City Zip have emerged as victors.

Today, we are going to take a brief look at each of this year's contenders. If history is to repeat itself, your next 3 year old sensation could be hiding among this field.

Overdriven wins the 2011 Sanford Stakes

1) Handsome Jack - Two starts back, this son of Bring the Heat won a 4 1/2 furlong maiden claimer by 6 lengths. Most recently, he finished a length behind Shanghai Bobby in an unusually fast Track Barron Stakes. Coming off of a very quick Saratoga work, Handsome Jack seems ready for a big performance. If he's going to make it onto the top juvenile scene, it is time for Handsome Jack to take a step forward.

2) Brave Dave - Coming out of a one length win in a 6 furlong maiden special weight at Calder. Although I have no real qualms to stake against this horse, I don't like that he's not been working at Saratoga.

3) Bern Identity - The standout of the field, Bern Identity is shipping in off of a 13 length romp in a 5 furlong maiden special at Belmont. In his initial start, the bay son of Bernstein came in second to a filly, Sweet Shirley Mae, over a sloppy track. This weekend, Sweet Mae flopped in a fifth place finishing in the Schuylerville Stakes. As a firm believer in tossing out poor first performances, I am willing to believe that the true Bern Identity is the one who wins by massive margins -- and is hopefully not beaten by fillies on frequent occasions. In his win, he completed 5 furlongs in an especially brisk 57.55; in addition, he is coming off a bullet 3 furlongs of 34.44 seconds over the Saratoga track. If the rain holds off, I have great belief in this colt's abilities.

4) Hightail - A deserving long shot at morning line odds of 20-1; Hightail has yet to win a race. In his first start, he finished last -- the winner, Roman's Avenue, came back to finish sixth in the Bashford Manor. In his second start, he finished a distant third to Positively, who came back to finish second in the Bashford Manor. In his most recent race, Hightail ran fourth in the Bashford Manor. I would be very surprised if Hightail makes a splash against this year's top competition.

5) Rose Junction - In his only start, Starlight Racing's Rose Junction garnered a 99 BRIS Speed rating via a three length victory at Belmont Park. The final time of 57.17 was enough to drag me onto the Rose Junction band wagon. He has as good a chance as any at remaining undefeated, come tomorrow afternoon.

6) Special Jo - A weak third in the Bashford Manor following six length victory in a relatively slow 5 furlong maiden special. He has posted one work over the Saratoga track. I don't believe Special Jo belongs in this field.

7) Good Tickled - The winner of a very fast five furlong maiden special weight prior to weakening into fifth in the Bashford Manor -- a race that saw many strong maidens defeated. Unlike Special Jo, I would be willing to give Good Tickled a second chance (due to his speedy win of 57.89). He is coming out of a bullet work at Churchill(fastest 4 furlongs out of 45 horses), but whether or not he takes to Saratoga is unknown. At a morning line of 15-1, Good Tickled just might be worth the gamble.

8) Onetwentyeight - Undefeated in his lone career start, Onetwentyeight will go to post in attempt to give the Repole Stable its second consecutive Sanford victory. Expect Onetwentyeight to be at or near the lead in the early stages of the race; and if we are to see a repeat of his first race, a drawing-off victory of 5 lengths. I am impressed with this colt, and expect him to perform well. In addition to his swift victory is the fact that Onetwentyeight's last few months have been spent in training at Saratoga. If his morning line odds of 8-1 uphold, I would certainly advise playing this colt.

9) John Gordon - After coming in second in two maiden special weights (interestingly, to Positively and Good Tickled), John Gordon won a relatively slow 5 furlong event at Churchill. While he doesn't seem to be any sort of super horse (and his only Saratoga workout was the slowest of 45), I like this colt for his consistency. While I would be surprised if he won tomorrow, I might bet him to show.

And there's your field for 2012's renewal of the Sanford Stakes.

Will an Affirmed or Secretariat burst onto the scene? Will the winner, like last years, lapse into obscurity? Or will it mark the lone defeat of an all-time great?

The Sanford was, after all, the only race in which the great Man O' War would not visit the Winner's Circle.