7 GP        The Mr. Prospector (GIII)

   $100.000   7f    Dirt            3yo&Up            3yo 120lbs    older 123lbs      +penalties

The speedsters will get after it on Saturday as we look at the field for the 2019 running of The Mr. Prospector (GIII).  My top choice comes in to this one straight from the BC Sprint (GI) and Kiss The Snake was fourth that afternoon in a very solid effort.  Had three wins in a row prior to that including a pair of GI wins.  You get the idea, he can run.  I went to the outside post for my second choice and Commanding Know seems like a horse that just keeps getting better.  He doesn’t have the graded races of some others, but I think he can be a huge factor today.  I certainly wouldn’t sleep on A Beagle Named Boo either.  It should be a great race.
Here’s The Field….

That was a quick race at AQU last out when he was third in the Bold Ruler Hcp (GIII). His only 2019 win came way back in Feb, winning a $35.000 claimer at GP. He’s going to need his best to be any part of this one, but that last out race certainly makes him interesting.

Beaten favorite on BC Day when fourth only a length back, and that broke a three race win streak. His closing style can cause him traffic issues and I think that was certainly harmful in his Sprint effort. I think he will find things a bit better today and is probably the one to get past.

Two wins this year including his maiden win and an NY-bred Alw race at SAR, both at today’s distance.  Just missed in the Jerkens Mem (GI) at SAR then didn’t fire while facing graded horses at KEE.  So who do we get today.  His best can be competitive but he needs to fire big.

Just missed last out when nosed i the Fall Highweight (GIII) at AQU, and that was a very quick race.  He seems to be firing big right now, and I certainly wouldn’t ignore this one on your exacta and trifecta tickets.

Solid year for this one, hitting the board in eight of ten races and winning three including two WV-bred stakes scores.  Nice win vs. Alw horses at CD in his most recent, so he looks to be a serious threat.

Three wins for this colt and he’s come a long ways from that $15.000 claimer back in Aug.  Took a nice race at BEL on the grass at today’s distance then closed well to just miss at SA on the down-hill turf.  He’s going to need to keep  the improvements coming to earn his first stakes score here.

Just missed after setting the pace at WO in his most recent, the Kennedy Road (GII) and won the Ack Ack (GIII) at CD prior to that, so we know he’s in good form and should be right in the thick of it.  Only four starts this year, so he should have plenty in the tank, but also carries 125lbs.

Great effort in the Comma To The Top at SA back in Oct and has been rested since that race.  Took an OptAlw at GG prior to that and is still looking for his first stakes score.  He’s been a steady miler, so the distance should be fine for him to put out a big race.

Was third in a small stakes at TUP in his most recent and his only ’19 victory came back in Jan when dusting a group at GG on a soggy strip.  I think the barn would love to see more rain today as well, as it may be his hole-card.

Changed hands a couple of times back in the summer after a duo of nice graded races where he was second and third and the new connections have been hunting for his best spots since that time.  He’s tried turf, sprints, two turns and got a win last out at PRX going 5f.  I’m not sure who shows up today, but his best effort would make him a possibility.

Five in a row including the Bet On Sunshine at CD in his most recent.  I think he can be a huge factor here today, but sure do wish he had a better spot in the starting gate.  Super versatile horse that sure does have ability and a nose for the wire.

COZMAN Picks  2 / 11     Willie’s Green Card   2 / 4 / 10      Scotty  4 / 2

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES