Both of his 2015 wins have been nice graded efforts in the Day Mile Stakes (GIII) at CD and the Crosby (GI) at DMR.  The rest have just been hard to watch for the most part including that ninth place, last out race in the Kings Bishop (GI) at SAR.  You certainly can’t count him out but it seems to be win or take it back to the barn for this one.

He’s won four of his last five but both of his non-wins this year have come when facing black-type horses.  Is today the day where he finally breaks through or is it another disappointing graded try?

Had won two in a row including the Salvatore Mile (GIII) before that dud last out in the Kings Bishop (GI).  It’s the same story – either a win or he packs it up and never fires a lick.  I do like the rider change.

His last two starts have been horrible – now I know they were both against some very good horses, but it’s not like this group is chopped liver.  Last of fourteen in the Forego (GI) and tenth in the Crosby (GI) – that’s just hard to get around.

Has a couple of nice turf-sprint wins including a last-out, wire-to-wire smoker at PRX.  I’m not sure that he does his best work on the dirt any more, but he has some class and I love that am gallop over this track getting ready for today.

Closed well to DH for third in the Crosby (GI) and that broke up his three-race win streak (under two owners, none the less).  The ten-post probably did this one no favors last out, and should benefit from a better spot here today.

Has improved since getting off of the TC Trail and being switched over to a sprint/mile type of a horse.  Back to back seconds, but that’s far better than what he had been doing.  This is a bit of a reach, but the barn is sharp, he seems to be getting better at this thing… I just have a feeling that he may light it up.

Nice win in the Gallant Bob (GIII) last out, and that was after a few tough luck races where he did almost enough to win.  He may be getting good at the right time, should have some odds and certainly has some speed.  I’d use him in the tri’s for some value.

Nice second v. ONT bred north-of-the-boarder, in his most recent.  He hasn’t won since being sold to this group, and I’m not sure that this is the best placement to get that win.  I’ll have to look at a bunch of others before him, here today.

He’s won three of four so the barn jumps into the deep end of the pool with this one.  He hasn’t seen any stakes company, draws a less than favorable post, and just seems to be up against it with this group.  He’s hard to go nuts on.

Fourth in the Amsterdam (GII) at The Spa in his most recent trip to the gate.  He’s won half of his ’15 starts, and that’s certainly something to be happy about… but this is an acid test from the far outside, so he’d best pack his lunch today.

Willie’s Green Card   6  /  5

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