5/1/21
2 CD CD (GI)
$500.000 4yo&Up 7f Dirt 122 lbs
Speedsters are the name of the game as we look at the field for the CD (GI) a seven furlong sprint that certain has brought us a talented field. There are a million different ways to go in this one, class, speed, past/recent form… this is a nice group of horses. In the end, I took Tallmadge Star as my top choice, off of his perfect ’21 season. He’s fast, has class.. he just seems to be the whole package. Let’s give Expert Eye a shot in here as well. He won the Toboggan (GIII) to kick off the ’20 season and was close-up in the Carter (GI), so he looks ready for another big run. I’ll take a chance with Iron Return in this one. His last air were not much to talk about, but if he can run back to that last race of ’20 where he won at SA, he could be real tough.
This is a tough group of sprinters and should be a fun race to take in. Best of luck to everyone!
Here’s The Field –
Shows a pair of fourths this season and it looks like the big barn is determined to make this one a sprinter despite some of his biggest wins coming at a mile or longer. Closed a bit late at AQU to be a length back in the Carter Hcp (GI), so can he turn it up a notch today?
He won the Malibu (GI) to close out the ’20 season but his two ’21 starts have not followed up to that. Seventh at LRL in the General George then fifth in the Commonwealth (GIII) at KEE leave a bit to be desired. Can he get back on track here?
Sold two starts back for $200.000 and it’s been a pair of wins since changing barns, taking the GP Sprint Championship (GIII) and then the San Carlos (GII) (DH) at SA last out. He looks about as sharp as you could want a horse to be and should be given a big look today.
Four wins from his last six starts, but he’s been facing far less that what he jumps into today. Took down Alw horses at HOU then again with the same at TAM, but this is graded horses, BC winners… it’s going to get tougher, for sure.
Stepped up in a big way last out taking the Carter Hcp (GI) at AQU, getting the job done by a half length in very quick time. A repeat of that would be hard to get past, but can he repeat that performance?
Has a graded win and third this season, both at AQU, winning the Toboggan (GIII) and then third in the Carter Hcp (GI) last out. He will run a bad race every once in a while, but when he’s right, he can run with just about anyone.
Shows a win and a third this season, winning vs NM bred stakes types last out but had a seventh place finish between those starts and that was vs. graded horses in the Fool Hcp (GIII). He will have to give his best effort to get in the middle of this one.
Broke maiden three races back then won an overnight stakes at AQU in his most recent, but this is obviously a lot tougher than that. He did win in pretty quick time, so he may be a horse that can step up and make some noise.
What can you say about this guy that everyone doesn’t already know? His $25.000 claimer to BC Sprint (GI) champion story is infamous but let’s not talk about that history. Now, he’s changed hands yet again (via Private Purchase for $400.000) and his two starts for the new barn have been a second and a third at the Alw level. Does the big guy run big today?
Closed fast to be third in the Commonwealth (GIII) at KEE and won an OptAlw race prior to that at GP and considering that he was claimed for $20.000 just five races back, he’s another that could have a rags-to-riches story. Can he win vs. this type of horses?
The 6yo was plunked in for a tag last out after a trio of poor starts, and he responded with a win in quick time. Now, don’t be fooled by the fact that he was in a claimer last out as this one as won some big races Including the Mineshaft (GIII) and Forego (GI) just last season. Is he back in peak form? If so, watch out… and he could bring some odds with him.
COZMAN 3 / 6 / 2 Willie’s Green Card 5 / 3 / 9
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
