3/11/23
10 TUP Fitzsimmons Mile Hcp
$100.000 3yo&UP 1 1/16thm Turf Hcp Weights
To the desert we go as we catch a full field of twelve for the Fitzsimmons Mile Hcp, and in typical TUP fashion, it’s at a mile and a sixteenth. This group is full of turf specialists and I’ve landed on Zensational as the top choice. He won three of eleven last seasons, looked good when second beaten a nose in the Carousel Hcp at GP, and I think he gets the job done today. Let’s go right next door and give the second spot to Whatchagonnado. Another that just missed by a nose last out, over the soft turf at FG in the Bradley. He drops three pounds from that race, and I’m sure he will be glad to get the softer impost. It’s a wide-open race, so let’s see how it plays out.
Here’s The Field –
Was cruising along last summer, bringing in the cash and lookin’ good, then he took off from July until Oct and he just never seemed to regain his form. He only beat one at PRX and was last at SUN, both stakes, in his last two starts. Can he find the old magic?
He’s been running well while facing lesser, so the step up makes sense. He beat OptAlw types at FG last out, so his return from the vacation was a good sign. Can he keep the momentum going today?
A mixed bag for this one since changing hands at the Sep 22 Auction. He was in the thick of things at SUN, last out, when fifth vs. stakes company, but he did press the pace into the lane, so maybe he can build from that decent effort and be a factor here.
Hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since last summer but was close-up last out when third vs OptAlw types at GG. He pressed the pace and was gaining late, although he couldn’t improve position, so maybe he finds this to his liking.
Made his return off of a break between Oct-Jan and didn’t exactly light it up. He beat two at GP in the Carousel Hcp, although they went in fast time, and he was only three lengths back. Still, another like that probably won’t cut it, so he needs to step up his game.
He’s been in the thick of things for as far as the eye can see, and this looks like a spot where he can win. He just missed in the fore-mentioned Carousel Hcp, just a whisker behind the winner after setting the fractions. I think he’s the one to beat today.
The barn has won the last two renditions of this race and comes with a pair to try to make it a trio of victories, and I think this is their best chance. He just missed in the Bradley at FG last out and has been close in just about every start of his career. Look for him to be right there.
Another that usually brings home a check and was third over this course last out in the TUP Turf Stakes, where he closed a late gap to be a length back on the wire. I think this is a tougher road, so he better bring his best to the party.
Second half of the Nak couple and he closed well to be third (DH) in that Carousel Hcp race that a few of these competed in. He made up ground which is always a good sign to me. He’s certainly a horse that deserves a look when you head to the windows.
Nice horse that has been in a number of bigger races, but he only beat one last out in the TAM Stakes (GIII) and that certainly isn’t his MO. Just a bounce or? I don’t know, but I think you have to be luke-warm on a horse that I’d be red-hot on if without that race.
First, I hope they change jocks because the three extra pounds will not be of any help at all. He changed hands for $20.000 and makes his first start for the new barn. They go for the gusto, but I’ll probably go with some others here.
Another that has run in some big races, and you don’t put $1,9000.000 in the bank running at MNR. He’s an 8yo now, and obviously isn’t at his prime, but he may still have enough to take down these. I’d probably be a bit higher on him if not for the outside post.
COZMAN 6 / 7 Willie’s Green Card 6 / 9 / 5
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
