Anothertwistafate gets top billing in San Gabriel Stakes

An accomplished field of seven will run 9 furlongs on the Santa Anita lawn in Saturday’s $200,000 San Gabriel (G2). Four in the field own previous graded stakes tallies on the green in the ultra-competitive contest, but I will side with a contender who has raced just once on the turf.

#6 Anothertwistafate will make his second run on the surface, and also his second since arriving in the barn of Peter Miller. The 5-year-old son of Scat Daddy has shown very good form on both the dirt and all-weather in his career, and I liked what I saw in his grassy bow at Del Mar last time out.

The Grade 3 winner didn’t have a smooth trip in the deep Seabiscuit (G2) in his second run off the long layoff, but he still finished a solid fourth, defeated by only 2 1/2 lengths. The dark bay will add blinkers for Saturday’s race, and he has a big tactical edge on the major players in the field as well. Joel Rosario will ride and have the top pick forcing he pace from the opening bell.

I successfully tabbed #5 Count Again in the Seabiscuit when he went last-to-first for Phil D’Amato. The lightly raced 6-year-old has superb current form, and the stout late runner has room for improvement with just eight lifetime races under his belt. He will be moving best of all late under Juan Hernandez.

I think that the race will come down to the aforementioned pair inside the final furlong.

#1 Cleopatra’s Strike was runner-up in the race the past two seasons and makes his first appearance since being claimed by Bob Hess Jr. 2019 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) victor #7 Bowies Hero is not at his best distance, though the Artie Schiller 7-year-old will be dangerous with his top performance.

San Gabriel Wagers

• $20 Win: #6 Anothertwistafate ($20)
• $2 Trifecta: 5,6 with 5,6 with all ($20)
• $1 Superfecta: 5,6 with 5,6 with 1,7 with all ($20)