This one hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since Jan when he won the Ft Lauderdale (GII) on a wet track.  That may be his hole-card although he was third in the Oceanport (GIII) at MTH back in Aug.  This race is not for the faint of heart so I have to look a some others first… although I do like the choice of rider.

His two seasonal wins came in back to back efforts back in Jan and Mar, so it’s been a while since he’s had his picture taken.  He’s usually close, but in turf racing that doesn’t always put much money in the bank.  He will need to bring his best to this one for any chance at a check.

Back to back wins and he’s won three of his last five starts… and that sounds good until you see that he’s eligible for NW3.  Still, he comes from one of the sharpest outfits, and they are famous for setting the world on fire in such races.  I can’t see it… but he could win by daylight.

Stepped up big in the Sky Classic (GII) here last out in a race where I didn’t think he had a chance.  Closed well to miss by a neck even though his only seasonal win came vs. OptAlw types at AP back in July.  The combo of Ls seems to be on his side and he may run right through his odds today.

Has certainly been a frequent flyer to the winner’s circle, taking down four of his six starts this year.  Closed well to just miss at double-digit odds while facing graded types for the first time in his latest and although I expect him to be overlooked today, he may run big here.

He certainly seems to have digressed in his last pair – a fourth in the United Nations (GI) but then a eighth place finish in the Sword Dancer (GI) where he just didn’t seem to have his usual late kick.  That may have been a bounce and the rest from Aug to now could be very welcomed.  I’m not tickled with his works and will look at others.

Ran another big race at DMR in his most recent but that was facing only 3yo on that afternoon.  We all know that the weights seem to be favoring the 3yo’s right now, so that may play right into his hands if things stay the way they have been.  Bullet works say look-out!

Was claimed for $40.000 four races back and did win off of the claim at a flat mile, over the SA lawn.  This is obviously more than that, and after an eighth place finish at KD going this distance, it would be hard to jump on his bandwagon now.  Any check would probably be welcomed.

Won after the private purchase, but it’s been pace-and-quit since, and all of those races were at the marathon distance.  This is a fairly salty group and unless the barn can work some of the magic that it can pull from time to time, it may be a long afternoon for this one.

Big run over this course last out when he missed by a neck v. GI company, and won a GII prior to that – he sure does seem to like this course, has the class, and it’s hard to overlook him for the win here today.  Give him a big glance, as he sure does look like the one to beat.

Huge late move to get the win over the field race at KD last out, and that was at today’s distance.  You have to like his races when he shows early speed and just seems to go on from there – he certainly doesn’t like to be rate and most overcome a tough post position.

Lightly raced 3yo threw an absolute dud last out when last of six over this track, and I just have no answer for what happened to him that day.  He was a wire-to-wire winner over a wet CD track, then closed well to be second here in a GIII… but that last race makes me wonder what was up with him.  Bounce?  maybe…  and you can’t rule out The King… but that was just awful.

Won the San Jan (GIII) back in June over the SA lawn, but his last two starts make you wonder if it isn’t time for him to either look for softer or just call it a day.  He’s had 10 starts this year at the age of seven.  I like him but his is just a bad bad spot to try to get right, especially from this post.

Was claimed for $35.000 two back and ran well over the SAR lawn in an overnight stakes there.  Was close in his latest facing graded for the first time but I just can’t see him knocking down this field from the far outside – it would have to be the perfect trip.

Claimed for $7.500 last out and just doesn’t seem to fit with this group.  It may be best that he stay on the AE list, despite his obvious ability to close in the late stages vs. lesser.

            Willie’s Green Card   10  /  7  /  4   

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