5/1/21

     9    CD    The Derby City Distaff (GI)
              $500.000     3yo      7f  Dirt          122 lbs

We have a very nice field of twelve set to sprint seven panel in The Derby City Distaff (GI) and these big purse sprints bring out the big guns.  One of the biggest guns in my eye is Tenrikyo.. and if she can run back to that KEE victory, she will once again be tough as nails here.  Christina G just missed in that KEE sprint, ending up a neck back of the top choice, so I think you have to give her a big look here as well.  Often, a dual like this never seems to materialize, but I think when they are headed down the lane, these two ladies may be head-and-head yet again. 

Here’s The Field –

Had been very consistent until that last out seventh at GP, so the question is was that a bounce or… Third in the la Brea (GI) and just missed in the Santa Monica (GII) prior, so give her a look, she could get back on track here and be a tough horse. 

Looked good winning the Vinery Madison (GI) at KEE last out, pressing the pace and getting home by a neck in quick time.  She has two graded wins this season and looks primed to be a big factor in this one as well… she has to be on your tickets.

Another solid handicap filly that comes into this one with a win in the Hurricane Bertie (GIII) at GP and a near miss to the two horse in the Madison (GI) at KEE.  We have a few in this race from the KEE race, so can this one flip the script and get the victory?

Took the Sugar Swirl (GIII) at GP three races back and was a hard closing third in the Honey Bee (GIII) that seemed to be a very good field.  She can be a bit hit-or-miss, but when she’s right, she can run with any of them.  She looks good right now. 

Had a pair of stakes wins off of that $12.500 claim, including the La Brea (GI), so she’s more than paid for hay, that’s for sure.  Closed fast last out in that Madison (GI) at KEE, so she’s another that is looking to flip it on a few of these.

Side by side with her stable-mate and this one also won three back taking the Falls City Hcp (GII) over this surface.  I’m a big proponent of horses-for-courses, so she may like the home cookin’ and go right on by them.  She may also come with a bit of a price.

Broke maiden and has been close in a few open stakes but this is obviously a step up in class so she’s going to need to bring all she has to be part of this one.  She was second over this track as a maiden, so maybe she likes the surface. 

Like the Energizer Bunny she keeps winning and winning and winning… five in a row now including the Las Flores (GIII) at SA where she once again showed her tactical speed.  The last time she didn’t win she was third in the Comely (GIII)… still nothing to scoff at.  She must be feared.

Making a step up today and will probably be long odds against this group.  Sharp outfit and they usually don’t go fishing unless they have the right bait, so, at a price, she may be worth a look.

Won a state-bred stakes after being taken out of a $10.000 claimer, then ran third in the Inside Information (GII) and tired to be fourth in the Distaff Hcp (GIII) in her most recent.  She obviously needs to keep it going here, this is a tough lot.

She’s won two of her last three since changing barns via private purchase ($130.000) winning a NY-bred stakes at AQU then taking the Distaff Hcp (GIII) over that same surface.  She seems to like the move from the grass to the main track and should be given a big look here as well.

Goes back after stakes company, which hasn’t gone well of late.  She didn’t miss a check at the Alw level, but went back into black-type company last out and tired to be fifth in the Hurricane Bertie (GIII) she’s going to have to step up from that or it’s going to be a long day.

COZMAN  2 / 3      Willie’s Green Card   11/ 3 / 8
 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES