8/14/21

  7    SAR      The Fourstardave Handicap (GI) [BC]

$500.000     3yo&Up     1m   InTurf      Hcp Weights

Up-state New York, we keep the big races going at The Spa and take a look at the field of eleven set to go a mile in The Fourstardave Hcp (GI), here at SAR.  This is a race where the outcome will not surprise me, regardless of how it turns out.  I’ll take the safe route and take Mb Stables and Insist Always as the top choice here.  The thing that puts in on top in my eye is his speed, even though he tired in that last-out fourth.  That was on the main track and I’ll look for him to carry things here.  Let’s put the classy Iron Nation in the second spot… he’s a horse that runs with the best of the best and although he’s still looking for his first win of the year, he’s certainly a dangerous horse every single time he enters the starting gate. 

This has BC ramifications, so we know the barns will be trying to land the win here today. 

Here’s The Field –

Two wins this season but has been on the board in just about all of his starts including three consecutive graded races where he was third in the Connaught Cup (GII) at WO, third in the Poker Stakes (GIII) at BEL and solid runner-up effort in the AP Classic (GIII) last out.  He looks dangerous.

He’s still looking for his first win of the ’21 season, another that proves my “BC jinx” theory, but he’s been very close in his last two and looks like a horse that’s ready to score.  Third beat a neck in the Shoemaker Mile (GI) at SA then another runner up effort in the United Nations (GI) in his most recent.  Is today the day to get back into the winner’s circle?

Another looking to get back on the right side of things as he has no wins in ’21 and is another that has been close in a number of graded races.  He was third in the Forester (GI) then followed that with a fourth in the Manhattan (GI), only beaten a length, then a fifth in the  Forbidden Apple (GIII), again only a length back.  Can he find a length or two to get a big win today?

He’s been on the board in four of five seasonal starts, including back-to-back wins at the Alw level.  Followed that pair of wins with a third in the Manila at BEL, all of those at today’s distance.  It’s a big step up in class, but he been running well and may make some noise in this one. 

Another with back-to-back wins, taking an Alw race at SA, then following that up with a win in the Elusive Quality at BEL.  He’s been third in his last pair, the American (GIII) and the Forbidden Apple (GIII) so he’s seems to be in fine form and could be a factor when they turn for home. 

We keep the back-to-back win thing going as this one took down Alw races at GP and PIM, then just missed in the Jaipur (GI) then tired a bit to be fourth last out, only beaten a length in the Nerud (GII).  Comes back to the grass looking to score a big purse, and he certainly must be given a big chance.

Won his return back to the races, being laid up from July to April, and he took the McKinney at PRX, then just missed when third in the Triple Bend (GII) at SA.  Bounced a bit last out when tenth in the Nerud (GII) so he’s being moved back over to the turf to see if they can correct that.

Won last out when tagged from a $35.000 claimer and they jump into the deep end of the shark tank here.  Now, don’t get me wrong, he’s won at the graded level taking the PARX Sprint and the Nearctic (GII) but they look to see if the magic can be found yet again.  

His lone ’21 win came two back when taking down high-end Alw horses that afternoon.  His only stakes effort was a fifth in the Louisville Hcp (GIII) so he’s going to need his best to get a check here today. 

He’s won five of his last seven starts and certainly loves to run at the one mile distance.  Was victorious in the Wicker at SA last out, so he looks like he’s finding his best stride as a 5yo.  Can he take a huge step up and keep his hot hand going here?

Two wins since changing hands back in Feb.  Won an Alw race at HAW and beat NY-bred types in the Kingston.  His only bad race was at the graded level when ninth in the Forrester Turf Classic (GI).  He’s been close against graded foes, so maybe he carries his current form over to this one. 

COZMAN   6 / 2               Willie’s Green Card      1 / 6 / 2     

Categories: BC 2021-2023, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP