5/30/22
9 LS Sexton Mile (GII)
$400.000 3yo&Up 1m Dirt 3yo 116 lbs Older 122lbs
It’s a big day of stakes races here in the Lone Star State and we look at the field for the Sexton Mile (GII), a main track stakes for the boys, and I’m headed down to the rail for my top selection. Gran Z looked good winning the CD (GI) and his consistency certainly makes him the one to beat today. The barn has been on fire… he seems poised to get another win in this one. Real One is another sharp horse with a ton of class and other than that dud in the SA Hcp (GI) he’s been as tough as nails. This sets up to be a great battle between these two, but maybe I’m missing something. At any rate, that’s where my money will go.
Here’s the Field –
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Gran Z | Maxmillion Farm | Gonzalez Ru | 122 | 7/2 |
Looked good winning the CD (GI) on KYD Day and he’s been solid of late running fourth in the Kilroe Mile (GI) on the SA turf, and was the runner-up in the OP Mile (GIII). This looks like a spot where he can keep running big for a hot barn.
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Sensei | Mb Stables | Hernandez C J | 122 | 8/1 |
Has two solid races after being purchased by the big barn, a second at SA going the marathon distance, then a big win in fast time at WO, again vs. high end Alw horses, and they shorten up again for this one. He has some back class and may be finding his old stride.
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Dancehall Dreamer | Broken Spoke Stables | Pompell T L | 116 | 10/1 |
Beat TX-bred sophomores last out to get back on the winning side of things, after a couple of up-the-track finishes. The doc came by for the unkindest of cuts and they put him back on the main track to get that win, so maybe they found some magic here.
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Statuesque | Mb Stables | Bridgmohan S X | 116 | 10/1 |
Another three year old trying older horses and he beat NY-bred Alw types in his most recent for the second win of his career. He has some tactical speed and that could be very useful in this one, but I think he’s going to need his best to get piece of the money today.
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Real One | Nakamura Stables | Wilson E J | 122 | 4/1 |
Bounced in the SA Hcp (GI) but other than that, he’s been right there with his hand out to take home some cash while racing against top-notch company. Won the Berkley (GIII) at GG and the San Pascal (GII), and was third in the Ali (GIII) at KEE last out. You have to put him on your tickets.
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Lions Reward | Smokey Stover | Eramia R E | 116 | 7/1 |
Broke maiden at SA and won a high-end Alw race at CD, sandwiched around a tenth place finish in the SUN Derby (GIII). Now he goes after older horses at the graded level, so he seems a bit up against it… still, you can never count this barn out.
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Oleg | Arindel | Moran D | 122 | 9/2 |
Won the Razorback Hcp (GIII) but has been off the board in his last two, tiring late in each of those. Seventh in the OP Mile (GIII) after setting the pace, and sixth in the Alysheba (GII), again putting on the brakes late in that one. Can he stop stopping?
COZMAN 1 / 5 Willie’s Green Card 1 / 7 / 5
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
