3/8/2025

  6   TAM   The Challenger Stakes (GIII)  

$125.000   4yo  1^1/16th  Mile   Dirt     122lbs + penalties

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We stay down at Big John’s Alabama BBQ and take a gander at a field of older gents set to go a mile and a sixteenth over the main Oldsmar oval in The Challenger Stakes (GIII).  Weights are even, so throw that out of the equation; however, some of these are dumping a few pounds and that could come into play.  Either way, both me and The Card are on Berlin as the top selection.  He was fourth in the BC Classic (GI) and set the pace before landing second in the Pegasus (GI) so this should be a walk in the park… although it never is.

Derby Dreams is my second pick and lands third on Willie’s picks, and the 4yo just won an OptAlw race at GP, and he had two wins last year, along with a trio of runner-up tries, so he looks like a horse that could be very useful in the ’25 season.  His am gallops look solid, so let’s see how this goes.

I like Edward The Good, as well… that one changing hands two race back and he ran big in the Malibu (GI) where he missed by a head.  He tired to finish off the board in the San Pascal (GII) but it looks like we all agree that a mile and an eighth is too much, at this point.  The mile seems to be his fav, so I look for a big run.  Willie says keep an eye on Red Bull, as well, so let’s see if he sprouts wings and gets a big piece of this.   

Here’s The Field –

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1		Charming Man		Rock Creek		Centeno D E		122		12/1
2		Details Matter		Alydar Stables		Gallardo A A		122		10/1
3		Highlander Heart		The Sidley Stud		Spencer J P		122		10/1
4		Officer Chaimura		Asgar		Ferrer J C		122		9/2
5		Edward The Good		Mb Stables		Velazquez J R		122		4/1
6		Je Lai Depense		Big Jd Racing		Alvarado F T		122		7/1
7		Berlin		The Sidley Stud		Lopez P		122		3/1
8		Bonus Baby		Night Rider Stables		Morales P		122		8/1
9		Rumble Ready		Riggins Racing		Geroux F		122		10/1
10		Red Bull		D J C Racing Stables		Smith M E		122		8/1
11		Derby Dreams		TwinTowersRacing		Davis D		122		4/1

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COZMAN  7 / 11 / 5         Willie’s Green Card  7 / 10 / 11        

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