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Haskell Has Nine Ready to Do Battle in Mid-Summer Classic

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2/2015   Post Time 4:50PM
RACE 13 MTH    The Haskell (GI) [BC]
$1,000.000    3yo     1  1/8m     Dirt

1
 Seeking The Wild  Eastern Equine  Ortiz I Jr      15/1 123

Has spent more time this summer switching barns than running.  He was sold after the Winn (GIII) win, then again this month.  The new barn puts Ortiz back in the saddle, which he was up for the at black-type win.  Only six starts for this one and he’s been in the thick of it just about every start.  Still, I just can’t get past how many times he’s swapped hands and this is a salty salty salty bunch.

2
 Here I Come  Mb Stables  Smith M E      12/1 123

Another that’s changed hands a couple of times of late – Mb Stables ran him back in a state-bred OptAlw and got the win off of that second in the Affirmed (GIII) at SA, which was prior to his latest change of address.  That race at SA is probably his best to-date, but this field has some monsters, so unless the barn can work some of it’s voodoo magic, this may be a long afternoon.

3
 Port On The Horizon  D J C Racing Stables  Hernandez B J Jr     6/1 123

Big win last out taking the LA Derby (GII) out on the west coast, and that came off of a couple of fifth place finishes while on the TC Trail.  He also won the Wood Mem (GI) so you know he was winning while running with some really good 3yo’s.  He looks ready to fire big again and should be a big factor.

4
 Cape Canaveral  Sanny Village  Stevens G L      7/2 123

Closed fast in that 7f sprint at BEL when second in the Stephens (GII) in June.  He won the Lexington (GIII) at KEE then took some time off, so I’m not sure what the barn is trying to do with this one.  Is he a two-turn type or do they want to sprint with him?  Either way, he tries hard and seems to be around in the late stages, and that’s all that matters.

5
 Im Too Confident  Mb Stables  Leparoux J R     3/1 123

Was up-the-track in the KYD (GI) and then ran hard to be fourth after doing all of the heavy lifting in the BEL (GI).  I really like this horse but when I pick him he is nowhere to be found and when I don’t he’s right there knocking on the door.    I’ll give the barn a break and say that I don’t like him here, even though I really do.

6
 Generals Companion  Maxmillion Farm  Velazquez J R     5/2 123

A true rags-to-riches story – after selling for $20.000, he won the SA Derby (GI), just missed in the KYD (GI) when second that day and was a fast closing sixth in the BEL (GI).  He’s been working over this strip, so obviously this was the place they wanted to come back and I think he not only has a big chance, but may be in a position to cash a big check.

7
 Viking Jedi  Delta Farms  Albarado R J      20/1 123

Three wins in a row, including a stakes at ALB, so the barn goes big-game hunting here today.  He’s won four of nine starts, so he certainly knows how the game works, but this is an acid test and I just can’t see him running with TC type horses.  Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m gonna have to see it.

8
 Chrystal Pip  Chili King Stables  Desormeaux K J    7/2 123

Nice win on the BEL lawn taking the Bel Derby (GI) last out – that was a DH win, but a win is a win and he did get the job done while closing late.  That is certainly his style and from the post he may need some racing luck to get by the traffic.  He changes back to the main track so he does have the turf-to-dirt play going for him, if you like that.  I would not ignore him.

9
 King Cobra  Aer Stables  Bejarano R      2/1 123

The 2015 KYD (GI) winner tries to get back on-track.  He was outrun on PRK (GI) day and closed well late to be third north-of-the-boarder in the Queens Plate last out.  There’s no doubt this rascal can run, but the post does him no favors with his late closing foot, and he’s going to need a clear path to get a run at ’em.

Willie’s Green Card    4   /   9  /  5  

 

 

 

 

 

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Categories: Grade I