12/20/20

  1   RP    RP Springboard Mile [KYD]
    $200.000      2yo          1m  Dirt              120lbs +penalties

The TC Trail takes a step forward and we look at the field for the RP Springboard Mile [KYD] which has produced a KYD winner… so can we see more of that here?  I’m giving Last City the slight nod to get the job done here today.  The gray colt only has a single win but has five other on-the-board efforts, and has been very competitive in graded company.  Shimkai Storm is another that has proven that he can run with graded horses off of that last out third, so give him a big shot here today as well.  My handicapping was somewhat blown-up by the double scratch from Mb Stables.  Let’s see how this one plays out.

Here’s The Field –

His only stakes effort was a seventh place finish in a NY-bred stakes at BEL.  The vet paid a visit after that race and it may have made a difference as he looked good taking down an ALW race at DMR.  Let’s see if he can keep that form with this bunch. 

Has a late turn of foot, but always seems to kick in a bit late.  Only beaten a length vs. GI foes when fifth in the Pharoah Stakes at SA after trailing through most of that one.  Was a bit closer to the pace in that last-out runner-up finish.  He’s a horse that can improve.

Broke maiden last out in his sixth effort when taking down Ont-bred at WO.  He’s been close in all of his starts and could make a splash here today, but I will probably look at a few others for the top spots.

Pulled off the major shocker at WO last out while taking down Ont-bred stakes horses after a next-to-last debut race.  He was 77/1 in that race, and I doubt that you get those odds here today, but I’m still not convinced he can win here. 

On-the-board in five of seven and has been right in the thick of it in his last three.  Third in a stakes at WO, then won an Alw race at CD only to get a bit weary in his first grass race, an Alw at DMR where ended up second after doing all of the pace work.  He could be in the thick of things here.

Had been on the board in six straight before running ninth in the BC Juv (GI) at KEE.  He was third in both the Pharoah Stakes (GI) and the Champagne (GI), and I’d look for another big effort here today… maybe, he’s the one to beat.

Got the job done first out for the new connections as they picked this one up in a Private Sale for $75.000.  That was on the sod at CD, as was his prior race for the old connections, but don’t be confused, he’s run big on the main track.  Can he step up to stakes types?

Never worse that second in four starts, and has back to back wins after breaking maiden at WO vs Ont-bred types then taking an Alw race at CT.  Can he take his hot streak into the stakes level and keep it going?

He’s been solid, hitting the board in four of six and his two off-the-board finishes were vs. graded horses.  Fifth in the SAR Special (GII) and sixth in the Hopeful (GI) and was close-up in both of those.  I’d look for another solid effort here. 

His three wins have put some cash in the bank, winning two Fla-bred stakes, but he was also third in the Hope Stakes (GIII) at DMR in his most recent.  No reason to not put him in the middle of this one as well.  I’m not a fan of his post position.

Broke maiden at CD in his most recent after the big barn plunked down $45.000 to acquire this one.  He was up-the track in his other starts, but his is a sharp outfit and he went wire to wire in that win.  Can he run ’em into the ground again?

Another purchase for Mb Stables and he gave $300.000 for this colt, and now looks to get some of that investment back.  He broke maiden and won an Alw race vs. Ont-bred types, then tired after pressing the pace in the Grey Stakes at WO.  Does he improve enough to get the job done?

Has two wins from four starts, so they probably would love to draw into the field with this one.  It would be his first stakes try, but he seems to have some skills.

He draws in with the double scratch from Mb Stables… 

This stable gets both of their entries in on the AE list.  He broke maiden at TUP last out, and this would be a big step up in class. 

He draws in with the double scratch from Mb Stables… 

COZMAN Picks   6 / 11 / 10             Willie’s Green Card     7  / 10 / 9

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded