9/10/2023

  2  KD   KD Juvenile         

  $500.000    2yo    1m  Turf   122lbs

Back out into the field we go as a group of freshmen will be headed post-ward on Sunday for the KD Juvenile, a flat mile test over the un-flat course, here on the KY/Tenn line.  I’m not going into the 2yo races vs. me thing, and Ali is in the hospital so don’t ask… I’m taking Merry Go Round as the top pick off of those recent works, more than anything.  Those 2f races are just what they are, but this one is working like a beast on the weeds and Smokey knows a good horse.  I’ll put Fly Eagles Fly in it as well… again, Mb knows a horse, and those DMR gallops say give me the weeds.

Here’s The Field –

Broke maiden like a beast at FE, but you have to wonder how much the soft turf played into that… or, was it the added distance.  He was closing at 7f when third up there, and really turned it on while winning.  Still, this is a much saltier group that he’s used to, so…  

Got the job done in his third trip to the post, and that was his first race on the lawn.  Quick time, opened up late and could be any type.  Solid works leading up to this one, so you may want to keep an eye on him, as he could come with some odds, as well. 

Nice score to break maiden at LS last out, his second trip to the starting gate, and they changed just about everything in that one, from his first race… two turn, moved to the grass… you get the idea, and he responded in a big way.  Can he grow off of that and make noise here?

Another that won third time out, and this one has three on the board efforts to show for it.  Looked good winning first time on the weeds, but this is another case of a big step up in class.  If he can handle that, he could be a tough nut and should be used on those tri tickets. 

All you closer doubters, here’s your horse… just missed first out, making a late run at them, then went worst to first at BEL taking on Empire-state-bred types.  Both races were on the main track, but a pair of nice turf works makes you think that the move over to the green stuff is going to be seamless. 

The big barn has an interesting one in this gelding… broke maiden on a wet main track at WO, then closed to be fourth vs Alw types at MTH, so they step up the distance, move him to the turf and if he wins, we can all sit back and go, see… he’s a genius… which he is, either way. 

Broke maiden at the abbreviated sprint distance at TAM back in Apr, so they parked him and… a slew of nice am gallops and you know this barn can access talent.  If he runs to the work, look out.. he could be a monster. 

One of a pair with prior stakes experience… he was fifth only beaten a half-length in the SAR Special (GII) and that was a sloppy racetrack for that one.  No turf races or works, so I’m not sure how to read this one, but he closes like a Bed, Bath and Beyond so give him a serious chance today. 

Another that checks all the boxes for changes… broke maiden at ELP, but the vet stopped by to snip those, he moves up to a mile from 5f and goes main track to turn.  Still, he shows good speed, and we know that’s a very handy commodity around there.  He could surprise. 

Another with stakes experience as this one broke maiden at first asking, then has mixed results vs black type competition.  He was up the track in the KY Juv at CD, but closed well to be third in the Tremont and again in the Funny Cide, both of those in NY.  No turf races or works to show, but I still think he’s the favorite for this one. 

COZMAN   7 / 6    Willie’s Green Card   4 / 7 / 6           

https://simracingform.com/2023/09/07/youngsters-running-wild-in-the-field-its-the-kd-juvenile/amp/

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded