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The Gate Is Full for Phoenix at KEE

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10/7/22

  4   KEE    Phoenix (GII) [BC]

$350.000                                 3yo&Up                                6f  Dirt                                        3yo 121 lbs  Older 124lbs

Speedsters keep the ball rolling on a big opening day here in Lexington and we look at the field for the Phoenix (GII), a six furlong dash on the main track and there’s no lack of speed or class in this one.  I am going to the outside post and put King Pigeon on top… the 3yo has done nothing wrong of late and seems to be primed for another big race today.  That closing effort to be second in the Jerkens (GI) was head-turning.  Another that is running big right now is Carnoustie, and I put him second off of that nice win in the Vanderbilt (GI) at SAR.  He’s been rested and looks to come back big today.  Let’s give Rogue Commando a shot as well.. it’s hard to handicap these big races without giving Mb a shot, and this one has been running big at every turn… so that’s two 3yo’s in my top three.  I’m sure I’ll hear about that! 

Here’s The Field –

1
   General Obvious    Mb Stables    Talamo J   124   12/1

It’s been an up and down year for this one, showing three wins including that ArstBC win at CD, but his last pair have been an eleventh in the Crosby (GI) but he bounced back to be fourth in the OBrien (GII), both of those at DMR and both were quick races.  Who shows up today?

2
   Chip Away    South Shore Stables    Lopez P   124   10/1

Another with three seasonal wins, taking down some very nice graded races, but his last pair have been anything but what the owner wanted.  A seventh and a fifth, both at SAR, both facing similar, so this is a race where he needs to bounce back in a big way or it could be another long day at the races. 

3
   Shifu Tan    Mb Stables    Hernandez R M   124   6/1

Only one win this season, but it was a big one taking the Crosby (GI) at DMR.  He was also second in the True North (GII) and has a pair of thirds in the Commonwealth (GIII), here at KEE and the General George (GIII) so it’s been another big year for this one.  He just changed hands to the big stable after tiring late to be sixth in the Forego (GI), so it will be interesting to see how he fires for the new connections.

4
   Carnoustie    Smokey Stover    Cedillo A   124   9/2

Two wins this season, taking the Pelican at TAM back in the spring, then getting it done last out in a huge race, taking the Vanderbilt (GI) at SAR.  He’s been rested since July, and this should be a good test for him… give him a big look. 

5
   Winchester    John Henry    Jaramillo E   124   7/1

Nice win three back taking the Cartier (GIII) at WO, but came back to be fifth in the Nerud (GII) and sixth (DH) in the O’Brien (GII), so it’s time to turn the ship around… but his best would make him tough.

6
   Puppet Master    Spankys Barn    Van Dyke D   124   10/1

Won the Carter (GI) at AQU back in the spring, then was second in the Brooklyn (GII) but I have to wonder if that mile and a half race took something out of him.  Sixth in the Suburban (GII) then ninth in the Forego (GI), he needs to get back on track. 

7
   Sweet Sweet Sweet    Night Rider Stables    Velazquez J R   124   9/2

Only five starts this season, but he may be peaking at the right moment.  He won the Forego (GI) in fine fashion, closing fast to get up by a head on the wire at 14/1 odds.  I doubt that you get that today, but he’s a force to be reckoned with. 

8
   Disciplinary    Nakamura Stables    Elliott S   121   12/1

He’s still looking for his first win of the ’22 season, and they seem to be searching for where he fits best.  Third in the Stephens (GI) going seven on the main track, and third last out in the Saranac (GIII) going a mile and a sixteenth on the sod… he’s a question mark to me, but the am gallops say he’s an exclamation mark. 

9
   Rogue Commando    Mb Stables    Franco M   121   7/2

The big stable is always loaded and no difference with this one… two wins and five runner-up efforts from eight seasonal starts, and he won last out at SAR taking the Jerkens Mem (GI).  He could be tough to get past today, as well. 

10
   Midnight Bisou    Arindel    Hernandez C J   124   10/1

Claimed twice in his last four starts, won that NY-bred stakes but was eleventh in the Forego (GI) and he’s facing similar today.  He might fool me, but I think this bunch is just a bit too salty for him. 

11
   When Your Strange    Maxmillion Farm    Silvera Ru   124   5/1

He shows a 1-2-2 record from his six ’22 starts, and just missed last out in the Bold Venture (GIII) at WO.  He was also the runner-up in the Triple Bend (GII) at SA, and I think this is a spot where he can play a factor, when they turn for home. 

12
   King Pigeon    Delta Farms    Saez L   121   9/2

He’s been tough as nails this season, wins three of five and running second in the other two starts, and the 3yo is proving to be a heck of a race horse.  Nice win in the Stephens (GI) and just missed, closing fast to be the runner up in the Jerkens Mem (GI), last out.  I like him… a lot!

13
   Tiz Trippi    Rock Creek   No Rider   124   AE

Would need help to draw in and I don’t see that happening… just too close to BC.

14
   Baba Booey    Hee Haw Farms   No Rider   121  

AE

I don’t see him drawing into this one and that’s probably good. 

COZMAN        12 / 4 / 9                Willies’ Green Card       9 / 4 / 7

 

 

 

 

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