Horse Race Preview: Race 7 – Clockers Corner Stakes at Santa Anita Race Park

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Post Time: 2:00 PM PT

Distance: 6 furlongs (Turf)

Purse: $100,000

Conditions: 4‑year‑olds & up, non‑winners of a graded stakes in 2025–26

Rail: 20 feet

Venue Information

Santa Anita Park

285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA

Surface: Turf (firm bias typical in February)

Configuration: Flat, tight‑turning sprint course

Expected Weather

Based on typical early‑February Santa Anita conditions

•             Temperature: 68–72°F

•             Sky: Mostly sunny

•             Wind: Light (4–7 mph)

•             Track Expectation: Firm turf — ideal for speed and tactical stalkers

Official Field & Post Positions

PP           Horse                                    Age/Sex               Jockey                                   Trainer                                 Weight

1             Sumter (KY)                        7/G                        Flavien Prat                         Richard Mandella             124

2             Yellow Card (KY) 5/H                        Emisael Jaramillo              Michael McCarthy           122

3             Irish Royalty (CA)              6/G                        Antonio Fresu                    Doug O’Neill                       122

4             Speed Boat Beach (FL)    6/H                        Juan J. Hernandez            Bob Baffer                           124

5             Sorrento Sky (IRE)            5/H                        Kazushi Kimura                  Phil D’Amato                      122

6             Flyover (CA)                        5/H                        Florent Geroux                  John Sadler                         122

Recent Form & Race Notes

1 — Sumter (PP1)

•             Last race: 2nd in 2025 Joe Hernandez (G2T)

•             Style: Tactical speed / stalker

•             Strengths: Proven class; strong turf sprinter; Prat fits perfectly

•             Concerns: Doesn’t always finish the job late

•             Overall: One of the most reliable horses in the field

2 — Yellow Card (PP2)

•             Last race: 6th in 2025 Joe Hernandez (G2T)

•             Style: Mid‑pack grinder

•             Strengths: Consistent; McCarthy excels with turf sprinters

•             Concerns: Lacks a strong finishing kick at this level

•             Overall: Fringe contender; needs pace meltdown

3 — Irish Royalty (PP3)

•             Last race: 3rd in Golden Gate starter race (2023)

•             Style: Stalker

•             Strengths: Honest, durable

•             Concerns: Class gap vs. top contenders

•             Overall: Outsider; needs career‑best effort

4 — Speed Boat Beach (PP4)

•             Last race: Multiple graded stakes performer

•             Style: Pure speed

•             Strengths: Baffert + Hernandez + blazing early pace

•             Concerns: Can fade late if pressured

•             Overall: The likely pacesetter and a major win threat

5 — Sorrento Sky (PP5)

•             Last race: 5th in 2025 Joe Hernandez (G2T)

•             Style: Late‑running sprinter

•             Strengths: D’Amato excels with turf closers

•             Concerns: Needs a fast pace to set up his kick

•             Overall: Dangerous if the front end collapses

6 — Flyover (PP6)

•             Last race: 8th in 2025 Joe Hernandez (G2T)

•             Style: Stalker

•             Strengths: Sadler trainee with upside

•             Concerns: Hasn’t shown enough punch at stakes level

•             Overall: Mid‑pack possibility for exotics

7 — Virat (PP7)

•             Last race: 7th in 2025 Stormy Liberal Stakes

•             Style: Speed/stalker

•             Strengths: Outside draw gives options

•             Concerns: Inconsistent; needs perfect trip

•             Overall: Longshot with minor upside

Projected Pace Scenario

•             Speed Boat Beach (PP4) → Clear early leader

•             Sumter (PP1) → Sits 1–2 lengths behind

•             Virat (PP7) → Applies mild pressure

•             Closers: Sorrento Sky, Yellow Card

Pace Outlook: Honest to fast. Should favor stalkers and late runners.