5/6/2023
3 BEL The Fort Marcy (GII) 
$200.000 4yo&Up 1 1/8m InTurf 123lbs +penalties
Big sandy is the venue and we head to the inner turf at BEL for The Fort Marcy, a mile and an eighth stakes for the older gents, and an even matched group we have. I’m leaning on Chai Danger to get the job done here today. He’s been close in both starts this season, and I just think he’s sitting on the win. If you are looking for class, look no further than Aerialist… third in the BC Turf last season and you don’t put $2.0 in the bank running at MNR. The big barn is trying to wake him up after a pair of fourth place finishes, and this could be the spot. If you are looking for a wild card, One Eyed Man has that nailed down with a huge seven length win at TUP last out, or take last years winner, Xmas Snow. Either would be interesting plays.
Here’s The Field –
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The Skipper Too | High Voltage | Rodriguez L A | 123 | 12/1 |
Claimed before that last out fourth place finish, and that was at HOU on the sod down there. Previous owner tired him vs. stakes company in the Carousel at GP, and that ended poorly. He has been on the board in a couple of PA-bred stakes, but he’s going to need to wake up if he wants a part of this one.
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Chai Danger | Wolf Ridge Stables | Herndz Moreno O | 123 | 7/2 |
He’s still looking for his first win of the season, but never seems to run a bad race. Second in the TAM Stakes (GIII) and closed fast to be third in the Appleton (GIII) at GP, so he’s on his toes and should make some noise in this one. He could be the one to get past.
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One Eyed Man | Sheffler Stables | Richards G G | 123 | 4/1 |
Wow… purchased from the Mar Auction for $32.770 and instant success as they sent him a mile and an eighth vs. three-win types at TUP and he ran off to hide, winning the Wildcat by seven in very quick time. He looks like he could be any type, so watch him today.
|
Phar Lap | Threshold | Howell T | 123 | 5/1 |
He’s an 8yo now, but don’t let that fool you, he’s still just as tough as he ever was. 12-10-7 record from forty-seven starts, and he’s been second in both of his ’23 races, Alw turf miles at SA. He won a graded stakes last year, so don’t think he’s ready for Virtual Old Friends, quite yet.
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Neds Influence | The Sidley Stud | Gomez J A | 123 | 4/1 |
Two big starts for this one in ’23, taking the FG Stakes (GIII) and then closed to be third in the Pan Am (GII) at GP. He’s shown to be competitive at just about any distance, any track, and you have to think he will be a big factor in this one, as well. I like him.
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Lord City | Our Athletes | Ortiz J L | 123 | 6/1 |
Fourth in his last two starts, one at the Alw level at SA and the other was at FG in the Muniz Mem (GII), and that race went in very quick time. He had a single win last year, and I think this may be a bit saltier than what he needs to get home first.
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Letters By The Bay | Wood Duck Stables | Cancel E | 123 | 7/1 |
Three wins last season, but most of them came earlier in the year. Now he did look good closing from far back at HOU in an Alw race, where he ended up second beaten less than a length, but I think he needs to find some old magic if he thinks he can get his picture taken today.
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Aerialist | Mb Stables | Carmouche K | 123 | 6/1 |
Good closing efforts in both the Can Turf (GIII) and the Appleton (GIII), but the big barn has to be somewhat disappointed for a horse that made $1.5 last season, including a third in the BC Turf (GI) along with some big graded wins. His best should win with ease, but I’m not sure if he still has his best… then again, he may have enough.
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Xmas Snow | Rock Creek | McCarthy T | 123 | 6/1 |
A second and a third (DH) in his two ’23 starts, that third coming vs stakes company at TUP where he closed well late. He won this race last year, in a three-win season, so you have to respect the defending champ, regardless.
COZMAN 2 / 8 Willie’s Green Card 8 / 6
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
