San Carlos Stakes
POWERFUL RIDE BRICKYARD RIDE LAYS DOWN A WINNING PATH IN SAN CARLOS BY TRACY GANTZ
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Both times bettors sent Tigre Di Slugo of as the favorite and didn’t even make Brickyard Ride their second choice. Yet Brickyard Ride came through victoriously in each race, frst by 31⁄4 lengths over Tigre Di Slugo at six furlongs and then by four lengths at seven furlongs. Eclipse Award winner Storm the Court highlighted the competition in the San Carlos, a race part of a stellar Santa Anita Handicap (G1) card. But no one could overcome the quickness of Brickyard Ride, a homebred for Alfred “Sonny” Pais and trained by Craig Lewis. Lewis had been using 27-year-old jockey Alexis Centeno to work Brickyard Ride, and the rider got along famously with the 4-year-old colt. Once Centeno began piloting Brickyard Ride in races, they were nearly unbeatable, bringing a record of three wins in four starts together into the San Carlos. Tat one loss came after a very rough trip. When the gate opened in the San Carlos, Brickyard Ride shot to the front, essentially ending the race. No rivals came close throughout the seven furlongs, as Brickyard Ride extended 48
© BENOIT PHOTO
hether against California-breds or graded stakes competition, Brickyard Ride and Tigre Di Slugo are proving to be two of the fastest sprinters in the state. After running one-two in the $153,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Jan. 16, they returned to complete the exacta again in the $202,000 San Carlos Stakes (G2) March 6.
A homebred for California breeder Alfred Pais, Brickyard Ride turbocharges to victory in the grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita
his lead to fve lengths in the stretch. He coasted to the wire an easy winner, stopping the clock in 1:21.51. Tigre Di Slugo held on for second, a nose ahead of Exaulted. Centeno was winning the frst graded race of his career, “of big signifcance to me,” said the rider. It was signifcant to Pais and Lewis too. Lewis trained Clubhouse Ride, the sire of Brickyard Ride. Pais and Lewis are longtime friends, and when Clubhouse Ride went to stud in California, they quickly made a deal to breed Pais’ Southern Image mare Brickyard Helen to the stallion and for Lewis to train the foal. In fact, since the arrival of Brickyard Ride, Pais has brought Lewis in as a partner on the mare. Brickyard Helen has already produced two Cal-bred winners, Big Barrel by Surf Cat and Scrappy Deville by Lakerville. Pais said that the mare most recently has foaled a
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2021 flly by Clubhouse Ride. Owners were allowed into the Santa Anita winner’s circle for stakes presentations on the card, something that led to many jubilant celebrations. Pais attended the races, posed in the winner’s circle, and made sure that in addition to the trophy, he had the saddle towel as a souvenir. Te owner/breeder felt that Brickyard Ride could get the San Carlos distance. “I know if he breaks clean, he’s tough,” said Pais, who lives in Santa Monica. “I wasn’t as concerned about the extra furlong. I just fgured if he gets it his way, he’s such a smooth-running horse that he does it efortlessly. He’s getting better.” Lewis said that Brickyard Ride has natural speed. “He’s learning how to relax,” the trainer said. “He’s maturing. He’s a big, powerful horse. He reached for ground like a horse that could run forever.”
