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It Feels Like May in July – Time for The Haskell

By on

7/17/21

  11  MTH    The Haskell (GI)   [BC]

        $1,000.000    3yo     1 1/8m  Dirt     123lbs

It’s summer-time on the Jersey shore and man o’ man did we get a nice group of horses for the 2021 Haskell (GI), a mile and an eighth battle for the sophomores, and we have one heck of a field for this one.  We continue the Howl Of The Hound / War Chant saga, but it’s a bit different as War Chant changed hands after that BEL (GI) win.  I’m going to take Howl Of The Hound to turn the tables and get back to his winning ways today – are you surprised?  Didn’t think so. 

I’ll go off of the script and take Sports Page in the second spot, as I think this is a horse that is ready to give a big performance.  He was third in the BEL (GI) so it isn’t like he’s never seen a bunch like this before, and he may carry some odds.  I’m really stuck between War Chant and Need 4 Speed in the third spot, one being the obvious pick, but the latter sure shows an ability to go to the front and use his speed to tilt the field.

Either way, this is a heck of a group and we should see some great racing this weekend… especially in this one!

Here’s The Field –

1
   Funny Cide    Iolaus Racing    Franco M   123   12/1

Never seems to run a bad race so it’s time to step up to the big boys.  He’s been on the board in all but one start this season, but this is an obvious saltier group than he’s been hanging out with, so it’s either step up or get stepped on, and we see how he goes.

2
   Tequila Rise    Nakamura Stables    Carrasco V R   123   10/1

He’s still looking for his first win of the ’21 season, but has been close in a number of graded races.  Still he has to find another gear in order to run with some of this bunch, but he should also be considered for your trifecta tickets. 

3
   Need 4 Speed    Kingelleinc    Bejarano R   123   7/1

What a claim!  taken for just $6.250 and has three wins for the new connections and five in a row, including the Col Lexington (GIII).  He’s an interesting sort and I’m just not sure how good he may be… I guess that’s why we are all here.  I think he’s an interesting horse. 

4
   Dutty John Crow    Night Rider Stables    Velazquez J R   123   6/1

Looked good winning the Peter Pan (GIII) and was right in the thick of things in the BEL (GI) only to get a bit weary late in that one.  This seems to be more of a distance that he “fits” and certainly should be a horse to watch as they enter the gate today.

5
   Locamotive    Aer Stables    Bridgmohan S X   123   4/1

Two big wins this year including the Holy Bull (GIII) and the Wood Memorial (GII) (DH) and was a solid influence in both the KYD (GI) where he was third and the BEL (GI) where he tired a bit to be sixth.  He has some big wins and must be considered a serious threat in this one as well. 

6
   War Chant    Jive Inc.    Cedillo A   123   5/2

Broke up the party taking the BEL (GI) after a solid second (DH) in the PRK (GI).  He’s sold since that big win, makes the first start for the new connections and now it’s a continuation of the battle with HOTH.  Do these two continue to settle things between them?  Sure does seem that way to me… he’s one to get past.

7
   Clubhouse    Crocker Ggs    Stein J   123   8/1

Kicked-off ’21 with back to back wins including the Davis Stakes (GIII) at TAM.  Came back to close well and be third in the TAM Derby (GII) but it’s been tough since that.  He passed a couple late in the BEL (GI) but he needs something fancier than that to run with these.

8
   Shalangar B B    Iolaus Racing    Davis D   123   10/1

Only four starts this year and he’s still trying to get his picture taken.  He just missed in the SUN Derby (GIII) but tired abruptly in the Day Mile (GII) and then was eleventh in the BEL (GI) where he really wasn’t a factor.  He has to find some old magic.

9
   Sunset Killer    Mo Mentum Farm    Court J K   123   9/1

Lightly raced and jumps into the acid bath after a nice stakes score at GG.  This is his first try vs. graded company and he picked a real tough spot to after that.  Still, he has three wins from five starts so maybe he hangs around to be part of the run to the wire.

10
   Grayte Cruise    Fractious    Moran D   123   7/1

Won his first three starts then was seventh in the ARK Derby (GI), so it was off to the sales side of things and he only has two starts for the new connections.  He was sixth in the PRK (GI) where he closed a late gap and got nailed in the Affirmed at SA, where he had a clear lead late.  Can he improve?

11
   Sports Page    John Henry    Gaffalione T   123   9/2

A pair of wins from this one including the BG Stakes (GII) at KEE, then was tenth in the KYD (GI) and third in the BEL (GI), so he’s seen this type of competition and was right in the thick of things.  Is he an upset candidate?  I think you have to give him a serious look.

12
   Howl Of The Hound    Mb Stables    Jaramillo E   123   3/2

Finally tasted defeat and at the worst possible moment, completing the first two legs of the TC only to run second in the BEL (GI) after having the lead late in the lane.  He’s all racehorse, no doubt about it, and I’m sure the barn wants nothing more than to turn the tables on the BEL loss. 

13
   Fairly Lucky    Mb Stables    Pereira T J   123   7/2

Another from the Mb Stables band of beasts and you certainly can’t look away from this one.  Five wins from eight starts including two-in a row coming to today… that last out win in the Affirmed (GIII) shows me that this one is ready to bust out in a big way. 

COZMAN  12 / 11 / 5              Willie’s Green Card    12 / 9 / 11      

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