From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2022) — A lightning quick 5-year-old California-bred horse by Clubhouse Ride and the defending champ, the Craig Lewis-trained Brickyard Ride will no doubt take some catching in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II San Carlos Stakes, presented by FanDuel, at Santa Anita.
Among the entries are fellow California-bred stakes winner Principe Carlo.
Brickyard Ride won last year’s running of the race by four lengths and is fresh off a massive 7 ½ length victory in the one mile Tiznow Stakes versus statebreds here on Feb. 21. Brickyard wheels back on 12 days notice as he seeks his sixth stakes win and his 11th win from 21 overall starts.
A gate to wire winner of the six furlong Cal Cup Sprint at six furlongs Jan. 15, Brickyard Ride, an imposing chestnut out of owner/breeder Alfred Pais’ Southern Image mare Brickyard Helen, is in search of his third consecutive win, the last two resulting in Beyer Speed Figures of 100 and 101.
There’s no question that Lewis and Pais have been anxious to get back in the ring with Cezanne, as it was his stablemate, Ax Man who pressed Brickyard Ride through what turned out to be suicidal fractions in last year’s Kona Gold. Easily the leading money earner in the field with $620,977, Brickyard Ride, no matter the early splits, will be extremely tough to catch if he’s clear turning for home.
Principe Carlo is by Coil, out of the Rahy mare Princess Ezra, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Mia Familia Racing Stables and trained by Librado Barocio. He has eight wins in 24 starts, earnings of $405,343 and is coming off a win in a Feb. 6 starter’s allowance.