GP 9    The Holy Bull Stakes (GIII)

      $250.000            3yo            1 1/16m   Dirt            121lbs

The Holy Bull Stakes (GIII) can be a major stepping stone to getting to Louisville in May, and we certainly have no lack of talent in this years rendition.  I’m putting my money on the probably favorite, Brittle.  He wasn’t named 2yo Male Champion for nothing and there’s no reason to get off of him today.  Trying to lead gate to wire may have done him in last out so I’ll look for the barn to let him sit off of the pace and get the win.  I think you have to give the big guy a shot in here, and Immoral sure does look the part.  He won nicely in SoCal last out in the LA Futurity and he comes into this with a head of steam.  I’m probably chalky in my selections but these two look the part… now let’s
see how it plays out.

Here’s The Field –

Broke maiden at FL back in Nov and followed that up with a third place finish vs. NY-bred Alw types.  This is obviously a major step up for this gray cold, but the barn usually doesn’t play around when big money is on the line, so you know the connections like this one.

Well he certainly seems to have figured this race horse thing out.  Beaten in his first two starts, it’s now three wins in a row including a stakes win vs. Cal-breds in the Golden State Juv and then a nice graded win in the LA Futurity (GII), while being sent off at 16/1 odds.  You probably won’t get those here today.

Changed hands for a tidy $250.000 after a third place finish facing OptAlw types down in Hallendale.  Won a sprint stakes at SA prior to that, so he has some black-type success.  Unless they change tactics in a big way, he should be the pace of the race.

Won the Hollywood Beach turf sprint at GP two back, but his last two, both on the dirt, have been forgettable.  He’s going to need to make a major improvement to be park of this one.

Up the track when facing black type foes in the Futurity (GIII) but has been competitive in all of his other races.  He was closing fast in that black type race so could the additional distance and a change of tactics make him an upset special?  Maybe….

Here comes the Champion…  Dropped one last out when trying to make every pole a winning one, only to settle for the third spot, but I think the barn takes him back off of the pace here and he roles by them when the money is on the line.. it’s what he’s good at.

Sold after that head-back loss in the Ky Jockey Club (GII) at CD over a damp track.  That was his first try in open company as he had been facing Fla-bred prior, but certainly made a splash… enough to sell for $200.000 to the new connections.  He should be in the thick of this one as well.

So he’s been rested since that eighth place finish in the SAR Special (GII) up at the spa back in Aug.  Since then the vet stopped by to make the unkindest of cuts and now the barn goes big game hunting right out of the chute.  This is a tough spot to get back at it.

Purchased out of the Dec Auction for just $10.010 which seems like a bargain.  Was second in the Sugar Bowl at FG in his first start for the new connections and the try a route of ground which seems to be in his abilities.  I’d make sure to use him on the exotics.

Up the track when facing graded foes in the Sham Stakes (GIII) last out, but his prior races were certainly worth looking at.  Won the Notebook while facing NY-bred horses… but can he make a splash at this level?

Has bee close in a bunch of big races but just needs a length here, a neck there, and he’s be a KYD contender.  Does the post doom him or can he put the whole thing together and get a huge win today?  That’s why we’re here.

Early Scratch coming off of a three length win at AQU going a mile… keep your eye out for this one in another race.

Gets in off of the AE list and although the post stinks, this one can run a little bit.  He was ninth last out but I like his closing strides that afternoon and the added distance could be to his liking.

COZMAN Picks   6 / 2 / 9     Willies Green Card  6 / 2      Scotty  2 / 11 / 6

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES