Iroquois – Grade III [BC]
CD Race #3 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $150.000 For Two Year Olds.
1 Cardinal Direction Mb Stables Bridgmohan S X
This one made Mb Stables part with $300.000 so it is clear that there is plenty of talent here and in his two efforts since that sale he has proven worthy of that hefty purchase amount. A good maiden winner for Smokey Stover he went on to win the Bashford Manor for his new owner and in his last start was a battling third in the SAR Special. I think this trip will suit as he has never shown signs of stopping in his sprint races to date and a decent draw should allow him to travel where ever his owner wants him to.
2 The Word Williams9 Morales E
Not a bad sort and a strong worker he is drawn very well but sadly for his owner has drawn an 8% jockey and that pretty much puts paid to his chances. If the whole jockey bias thing wasn’t going on at the moment i would give him a fighting chance.
3 Pink Iroq Axeman Quinonez A
Another nice sort he is slightly better off with a 9% jockey so may not have his chances totally written off by that A good statebred stakes winner last time he has a good draw and a fighting chance but his works arent as sharp as the top runners in this race.
4 Big Chill EasyMoney Stables Rocco J S Jr
Another with a 9% jockey he too has some solid form and a good draw so cannot be totally written off by losing the jockey lottery. A strong worker he has two wins and two seconds to his name over sprint trips and a quick look at his conformation gives some doubt as to whether this longer trip will suit. If he stays he could be a chance.
5 Peppermint Force Allinthegate McMahon C J
Another who draws a 9% jockey i liked the way he finished in the Best Pal last time when a closing sixth and he certainly races like this longer trip will suit. His conformation says he will stay all day so he may well be the best chance of those with second class jockeys.
6 Red Cup Our Athletes Van Dyke D
Draws the all important 10% jockey and showed last time when getting home in the Best pal Stakes from a horrible draw that he has all sorts of ability. A sub 1.37 work suggests he will lap up this trip and he must be amongst the favourites to win.
7 Not To Be Denied D J C Racing Stables Lanerie C J
The stable has been on fire and so has this two year old son of Niagra. He looked pretty special when taking the SAR Special last time out making it three wins in a row. He gets a chance today to prove he is equally effective over a longer trip and looks assured to be in the top three having drawn a 10% jockey and a draw he can work with.
8 Not A Pretty One Estero Farms – Scratch –
9 Mr Cat Summers First Street Stables Stevens G L
G L Stevens hasnt been in great form this year but nevertheless he is still rated at 10% which is a real bonus in this race. This home bred looked really good last time when taking the Clarendon Stakes but his ability to stretch out over this trip has to be taken on trust like so many others. His works are strong so if he copes with this widish draw he must have a chance.
10 Chiozza Jive Inc. Saez G
Catches a 9% jockey and a widish draw so has lucked out on two counts but this isnt a bad sort and may squeak a place. His sixth in the SAR Special was better than it looked on paper as he was drawn wide that day and he does look the sort that has been crying out for a longer trip.
11 King Niagra Team 7 Illusions Santana R Jr
Won the lottery here drawing a 10% jockey with only thirty dollars in prize money but has been given a tough draw to race from. Bought for $250.000 he ran pretty well in his first start for the new owner and has shown some improvement in works so should be better today. The stable is in good form and any son of Niagra must be given a serious look.
12 Get Jiggy With It Serenity Stables Leparoux J R
I have written much about the need for the heart gene in these types of races and with two races and two dead heat wins it is clear this one doesnt like getting beat. Bought recently at auction for just $55.000, he will be the bargain of the week if he wins from this tough draw today. A big bonus is the securing of Leparoux to take the reins and his first work for the new owner screamed next up winner.
13 Digital Fraud Nakamura Stables Gilligan J
A good sort he has some super works but sadly draws both the outside gate and an 8% jockey.
SUMMARY
I would rather like Digital Fraud for a shock win here but the 8% jockey is enough to put me off. Get Jiggy With It is a real tough sort and i wouldnt be surprised to see him do well despite the draw but it is tough to get past Not To Be Denied and Red Cup to fight out the finish.
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