Georgie Boy romps over favorites in San Vicente Stakes
by Kenneth Strong of Predictem.com
Feb. 10, 2008 – Georgie Boy took advantage of a beautiful trip behind a pair of pace-setting favorites to post a mild upset in the 67th running of the $147,000 San Vicente Stakes-G2 at Santa Anita on Sunday, but he looked like he could have won even without the trip.
Making his first start since winning the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity-G1 on Sept. 5 last year, the gelding by Tribal Rule-Ippodamia by Peterhof picked up right where he left off at the same distance, accelerating away from favorite Into Mischief late to win by 3 lengths under new rider Rafael Bejarano. Second choice Massive Drama finished third, a length behind Into Mischief.
Into Mischief, who was making his first start since winning the mile and a sixteenth Cash Call Futurity-G1 at Hollywood Park on Dec. 22, pressured pacesetter Massive Drama from the outside through solid fractions of 23 1/5, 45 1/5 and 1:08 1/5, before taking over into the stretch, but was no match for the winner late. The final time for the seven furlongs was a good 1:20.01, good for an estimated 102 Beyer Speed Figure.
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Trained by Kathy Walsh for George Schwary, Georgie Boy returned $7.80 to win and increased his earnings $376,806 from a record of 3-2-1 in six starts including the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar as a 2-year-old and the aforementioned Del Mar Futurity-G1.
The knock against Georgie Boy is that he has a sprint pedigree, but he certainly deserves a second look for the Kentucky Derby based on his San Vicente win. He definitely looked much better than his Kentucky Derby Future Wager odds of 69-1 (closed prior to the race), and at least as capable as Risen Star Stakes winner Pyro. Georgie Boys first test of stamina will probably come in the mile and a sixteenth Rebel Stakes-G2 at Oaklawn Park on March 15.
San Vicente Stakes Results and Payoffs
February 10, 2008 – Race 8 Santa Anita
1 Georgie Boy $7.80 $3.20
4 Into Mischief $2.60
2 Massive Drama
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$1 Exacta 1-4 paid $7.90