4/22/23

  1   OP        The OP Handicap (GII)       
        $1,000.000     4yo&Up   1 1/8m  Dirt     Hcp Weights

Looks like the end of the OP meet so that means it’s time for the big one here, The OP Hcp (GII), and a huge purse.  Can you look past Home Spirit today?  I don’t think so… he won the Pegasus World Cup (GI) at 99/1 odds but followed that with a very game third in the Big Cap (GI) at SA, so he has to be the logical top selection in this one.  I think Jolly Rook is another that deserves a big look off of his NO Hcp (GII) win at FG, in his most recent.  He’s been very sold of late, and certainly should be a factor when the hit the lane.  You can make a case for a bunch of these, and I’d look for a good one, today. 

Here’s The Field –

Didn’t win last season but took the Haynes at AQU, beating NY-bred stakes types, then came back to just miss in the Essex Hcp (GIII) over this surface.  That bodes well for him, in my eye, as I think the OP surface can be a tough one – either you like it, or it eats you up – he seems to like it. 

The ’22 SA Derby (GI) winner hasn’t re-flashed that brilliance but has been close in a number of other races.  He won his ’23 debut vs OptAlw types at SA, but this is a step up… his best makes him part of the show, but does he still have his best?

Had a string of off-the-board starts, went to the Alw level and smoked a group at SA, then missed by a head over this track in the NO Hcp (GII) where he was dismissed at 13/1 odds.  I don’t think you get that today and I also think he is a horse that could be a huge factor.  Don’t leave him off of your tickets. 

Already has two wins on the ’23 charts and was second last out over this track in the OP Mile (GII), so he goes co-high weight with his stable mate.  The good news is he still carries less weight than those three races, so I’d still give him a big chance to get the job done here today. 

Always a threat, but that was a bit of a disappointment when he only beat one in the SA Hcp (GI) last out, especially off of that second in the San Pascal (GII).  He is certainly a candidate to bounce back today and be a huge factor when they turn for home. 

Claimed for a mere $30.000 but shows three bullet gallops for the big barn.  He goes from springing on the lawn to two-turns on the main track… they see something they like and that could be bad news for this bunch.  He should come with some odds, so…

Privately purchased two starts back and has been close in both starts for the new stable.  He won last out, taking down OptAlw types at PRX.  This is a step up from those two but did run vs. graded types for the prior owner, so it’s back up the ladder and we see if he still has that form. 

He kicked-off the ’23 season with a nice runner-up effort in the Pegasus Cup (GI) but his last two have been lacking efforts, running eighth in the Razorback (GIII) over this surface, then was last of eleven as the 3/1 favorite in the NO Hcp (GII).  Obviously, he has to turn it around in short order or it’s going to be another long day. 

Four wins last season, then had a pair of thirds prior to that win in the NO Hcp (GII) at FG, in his most recent.  He seems to be in very good form and another like that FG effort could land him right back in the winner’s circle.  I would not leave him off of any tickets. 

Nice win last out to get back on the right side of things.  That was on a muddy SA strip, so they may be hoping for rain with a 1-1-1 record in four wet efforts.  He won the BC Derby (GIII) last year, so he comes with some class.

No no wins last year, no wins this year… but he has been on the board in six of his last nine, so there is some hope.  Still, it’s hard to jump on him as he seems to be finding his way, running anywhere from six and a half furlongs to a mile and a half, of late. 

Two starts this season, winning the Pegasus World Cup (GI) and just missing by a length, closing fast to be second in the SA Hcp (GI).  Both of those races were in understandably fast times, and I think you have to respect him, even at the 121 impost. 

Won the Tiznow at SA, then ran fourth at the Alw level, but that seems to be the inexplicable ways around here… class?  ehhhh… we don’t need no stinkin’ class.  Still, he’s going to need to bring his best to the table today. 

COZMAN  12 / 9                Willie’s Green Card       12 / 5 / 9  

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES