6/2/23
18 PEN PEN Mile (GII) 
$400.000 3yo 1m Turf 122lbs
A big day of racing here at PEN, where I about froze to death (long story) and we catch a stellar group of seven sophomore set to go a flat mile on the grass here in Grantsville. Wowser… The Pen Mile is as deep and salty as the Pacific, so who do you go with today? You know me, if Mb is in town, I’m in his pocket so let’s give On Fire top billing today. If it rains, his stable-mate could flip the script, but that win in the American Turf (GII) at CD was a head-turner, in my opinion. The rain is supposed to hold off until Saturday, so… he’s the one. If the rain gets here early, look for Drinkin Creepin to be the one to get past… he is 2-for-2 on wet surfaces and smoked that Transylvania (GIII) field. He’s tough on the dry sod as well, and I’ll take a big-barn one-two. Greeks Get It has won six in a row, so how can I not put him on top? Well, it’s his first graded effort and the first time going this far… can he do it? Well, that’s why we’re here!
Grab a wobble-pop and let’s get down to the rail… right where I smacked Diebler in the head. Oh, the PEN stories I can tell ya.
Here’s The Field –
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Greeks Get It | Arindel | Gutierrez Mario | 122 | 8/5 |
It only took him one race to figure out this race-horse stuff… excuse the initial outing (separate discussion) and this one has been perfect ever since. Six consecutive wins, wet/dry, Alw/stakes… he could win from the parking lot. Three consecutive stakes wins… negatives? I got nuthin.
|
August Storm | Fractious | Centeno D E | 122 | 5/1 |
Three consecutive wins before running into a buzz-saw group in the American Turf (GII) at CD on KYD day. He’s won at the mile distance and both of those were in quick time, so if there’s a horse with some odds that you want to back, he may be the one.
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Iceberg Slim | Fractious | Hernandez R M | 122 | 6/1 |
Second half of the Frac duo and this one has a ton of talent, as well. Three wins in his last four races, all at the Alw level, but he’s won on wet/dry and certainly has the ability to pull of an upset. He won’t be in my top three, but I won’t be surprised either.
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On Fire | Mb Stables | Dettori L | 122 | 7/5 |
The big barn brings another monster into this one, showing four wins and a second from six starts and he’s won four of his last five including the American Turf (GII) at CD where he faced a very nice group of horses. He looks like the one to get past today if you want to get you picture taken.
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Chrystal Chai | Alydar Stables | Loveberry J | 122 | 3/1 |
Only five starts but he’s been tough in all of them, never worse than fourth. Broke maiden and won an Alw race at FG then just missed in the Palisades at KEE over soft sod. I think going back to a mile is in his favor, and he’s another that certainly deserves some backing.
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Delightful Rubicon | TwinTowersRacing | Velazquez J R | 122 | 12/1 |
Broke maiden at FL then won an Alw race at PRX, but it’s been tough going since. He was fourth in the Brown at CD but doesn’t have a win on the grass and it’s been a while since he got home first.
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Drinkin Creepin | Mb Stables | Saez L | 122 | 9/5 |
Second half of the big barn’s duo and another absolute monster. Six wins and a second from nine starts and had his win skein broken last out when second in the American Turf (GII), where his stable mate beat him. He’s got all the talent you could want and is certainly one to watch today.
COZMAN 4 / 7 / 1 Willie’s Green Card 7 / 4 / 5
Fast/Firm
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
