Only a single win from his eight seasonal starts in ’15 but he ended the year winning the Kennedy Road Stakes (GII) up north of the border, and that certainly helped his bank account.  He’s a bit of an anomaly, being a 7yo stallion and yet still is in the starting gate v. the breeding shed, but the barn has been patient with him through the years and he’s proven to be a sharp claim.  Give him a shot in that one as well.

Quite an odd year for this one in ’15 as he won his first start and then didn’t see the winner’s circle until his last start of the year.  So how did he kick-off ’16?  Same thing… winner winner chicken dinner.  So does he wait until fall to win again or does he fire right back?

’15 was a pretty good year for the “Freak” winning three races from his eleven starts and putting $855.000 in the bank in the process.  Tired in the BC Mile (GI), and the Malibu (GI) and in that turf Alw race at SA to kick off his ’16 season.  I’m going to have to look at some others until he starts showing some run in the lane.

Had a few nice wins last season taking the Pegasus (GII) and the IND Derby (GII) but he hasn’t won since last July and the barn sent the vet over to change his attitude.  That may have been a last ditch effort to get his mind back on running, but I’m going to have to see one to be sure it worked.

Changed hands via private purchase and brought a nice return taking an Alw race at TP in quick time.  He was competitive in stakes sprints last season, but this is obviously a tough group and he’s going to need his A-game to get the job done here.  I think they’d be happy with any check.

Was closing in the late stages of the San Pascal (GII) at SA in his most recent, and I’m not sure what the game-plan is shortening him up even more.  His money has been earned at the classic distances, so I’m a bit at wonder with the change to a sprint.

On the board in seven of nine ’15 starts and was on the board in a few stakes tries as well.  He’s eligible for NW1x and this is obviously a tougher group than that.  He makes an interesting couple with his barn-mate next door over… is there a tactic here?

            Willie’s Green Card    7 

Categories: Grade III