Well, his first start for the new barn after selling for a whopping $1,150.000 was probably not what they were looking for.  A tiring third in the NO Hcp (GII) is a habit this one seems to have… tiring when the money is on the line.  He’s going to need to bring his A-game to get any part of this one.

Sold after a nice win in the GP Hcp (GII) where he closed well late to get the job done on that afternoon.  That was his first victory in quite some time, so it may show that he still has something in the tank.  Nice work at OP getting ready for this one, so maybe he’s got his mind back on winning.

Tired to be fourth in the aforementioned NO Hcap (GII) and he hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since last Sep. when he won the Super Derby (GII) at LAD.  His best would certainly put him knee deep in this one, and I do like that 6f work at MED.  I guess we see if he has his best going today.

Not much to get excited about off of that fifth place finish in a marathon stakes at GP on the sod.  He did win half of his eight ’15 starts, so don’t think that he doesn’t have some ability, but his last two starts certainly leave something to be desired.  Can get get it going?

Got back to the winning ways taking an OptAlw mile race on the main track in SoFla in his most recent.  He closed out ’15 with a couple of solid races in NY facing graded types so this certainly isn’t outside of his ability.  He may be sitting on a big effort and I wouldn’t ignore him here.

He’s changed hands three times since Oct, two of those coming via the claiming box and once as a private sale.  His last win was at the $14.000 claiming level and this is certainly a lot saltier than that.  He may pull the upset, but I’ll be watching if he does.

Closing well when fourth in the OP Hcp (GII) and that came after a nice GIII win at OP, where he dominated with his early speed.  That seems to be is way… contend or lead and then keep on going.  He’s got a good ’16 season going and he may be the hot horse right now.

Went after graded horses last out and ended up fourth of six in the Tokyo Cup (GIII) at SA.  His last two were at the mile and a half distance, so you know he has the stamina, but is this shorter distance really his best route?

Stopped like a cheap watch in the Kilroe Mile (GI) as the 7/2 favorite that afternoon.  His best work seems to come on the sod although he has won on he main track.  Still, I am just not sure that he wants any parts of this and the way he ran last out certainly makes you wonder.

            Willie’s Green Card    7  /  2

Categories: Grade II