06/05/2021
9 BEL The Metropolitan Handicap (GI) [BC]
$500.000 3yo&Up 1m Dirt Handicap Weights
It will always be the Met Mile to me… but The Metropolitan Hcp (GI) [BC] is a big feather for anyone’s cap, and this is a stellar field. I’m going to take the rail horse and give Toxic Personality the slight edge. He has four wins in a row, two of those on off tracks, one on fast, one on turf, so he seems to be able to win on any surface including the parking lot. He doesn’t have quite the class to make me go bonkers, but let’s give him the nod. I’ll give Broken Tap a big chance today as well. He looked good winning those stakes in FLA this winter, and should bounce back from that sixth at CD last out.
It’s an even group of horses for the most part and should be a fun one to watch.
Here’s The Field –
He’s got the hot hand right now, winning four in a row and five out of six going back to the previous owner. He won the General George (GIII) at LRL in that string and even his non-win was a fourth place finish in the Turf Monster (GIII) at PRX, and he led most of the way in that. He could surprise here.
Won this race last year and that’s the last time he had his picture taken. Just missed in the OP Hcp (GII) last out, so he may be rounding back into form at just the right time. Even his off the board races have been close finishes, so maybe he finds the home cookin’ to his likin’ and upsets.
Hasn’t won since Nov of ’19 although he’s been close in a number of starts. Second over this surface last out in the Runhappy (GIII) where he had the lead late. Maybe he can build off of that race.
Nice third over this track last out in the Ft Marcy (GII) where he closed a late gap to make it interesting. His only win over the past two seasons was at the Alw level, so he will need to step it up a big in this one if he wants to bring home some cash.
He’s still looking for his first win of the ’21 season and changed hands to the big barn after that third in the Clark Hcp (GI) to close out his ’20 season. He was third in the SA Hcp (GI) and fourth in the OP Hcp (GII) so he can run with the best. But he’s another that will need to move up a notch to get part of this big purse.
Got back to the winning ways taking an Cal-bred OptAlw at SA last out, where he hung on to win by a nose. He’s struggled vs. graded foes and will have to show more to be part of the goings-on here.
He’s been solid vs graded horses winning the Discovery towards the end of ’20 and the Razorback Hcp (GIII) this season. He’s also been on the board in a number of graded races, so you have to put him in the picture of this one as well. His best could make him tough.
Another from the Mb Stables group and this one is also looking for his first win of ’21. He has a pair of fourths and a fifth in three season starts, and he will need to find a different gear if he wants to run with this bunch.
A lightly raced 3yo filly in with the older handicap horses… I just can’t see it. She has a pair of wins coming into this race, but I believe she would blow up the tote board if she won this.
Bounced in that last one, running sixth n the Alysheba (GII) at CD. He had back to back wins prior, both vs. graded horses, taking the Hooper (GIII) and the GP Mile (GII) so he certainly fits well here and should be part of it when they turn for home.
Is still looking for his first win of the ’21 season which is a stark contrast to his four wins last year. He was up the track in the two graded races this year, but was also seventh in an Alw race at SA last out. He needs to turn it around in a big bad way.
Another looking for his first win of the season and his last victory came back in June of last year when he took the Highland (GI) sprinting on the WO turf. He was second in the Commonwealth (GIII) at KEE, so his best can still land him a spot in this one.
Sold after that tenth place finish in the LA Stakes (GIII) and won vs Alw company in the first start for the new connections. He won the Quick Call at SAR last summer so he has some graded success, and the barn must be high on him after that wire to wire win. Maybe they figured him out.
No wins last season, took down OptAlw horses at GG then was twelfth of fourteen in the OP Hcp (GII) so he’s going to need a major improvement to be a factor today… and he catches the outside post.
COZMAN 1 / 10 Willie’s Green Card 8 / 10 / 1
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
