ARCADIA, CA – Epical got out front for an early lead and never looked back in Friday’s San Luis Rey Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. This was the first stakes win for the four-year-old son of Uncle Mo and is his third win in his last four starts.
The even-money favorite, Epical, wasted no time getting out to the lead and was followed closely by Marckie’s Water on the outside and Unapologetic on the inside. Epical faced little pressure on the front end and set fractions of :24.47, :48/56, and 1:13.41. As they approached the far turn, Marckie’s Water put on the pressure and the rest of the field bunched up behind the leader. Epical responded by kicking it into another gear and went on to win by an easy 2 1/4 lengths. Marckie’s Water was second best into the stretch but Beach View came wide with a big late run and got up for second leaving Marckie’s Water to settle for third. Unapologetic settled for fourth.
“I counted on the trainer [James Cassidy] to have him ready. I should have won on him the last time, but we got a poor start,” said jockey Tyler Baze. “Once we got going on the turn, he showed his big turn of foot. I like to ride fast horses in marathon races. He was relaxed and when it was time to go, he took off.”
Epical is owned by D.P. Racing LLC and trained by James Cassidy.
“You know the first time Tyler rode him he said ‘I think he could go three miles’ There aren’t too many 3 mile races but he’s got speed and he doesn’t mind the horse next to him that goes with him it doesn’t seem to rattle him at all he’s very kind and he’ll go as far as you want to go.
Epical returned $4.20 to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.40 to show. Beach View brought back $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show, while Marckie’s Water paid $ 3.60 to show.
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