8/6/22
10 SAR SAR Derby (GI)
$1,000.000 3yo 1 3/16m Turf 122lbs
The Derby Train keeps rolling and we go to The Spa for the SAR Derby (GI) and mile and three sixteenths turf stakes for the sophomores and it’s hard for me to get past Keeper Of Time in this one. He’s lightly raced but has made a lot of noise on the grass, showing three wins and a pair of seconds from those five starts. He just missed in the BEL Derby (GI) and I think he gets his first graded win today. Mickey won the BEL Derby (GI) so let’s look for these two to get back after it again today. This one was dismissed at 30/1 odds in that win, and while I don’t think you will get that today, he could still be overlooked.
Here’s The Field –
Won his first four races but it’s been tough sledding since… sxith of seven in the Penn Mile (GII) then eleventh of fourteen in the BEL Derby (GI) so it’s hard to get crazy in love with him here. Still, you look at those four wins, including tow graded scores… it’s hard to throw him out, that’s for sure!
He’s been consistent running at the Alw level, so up the ladder he goes. Two wins and two runner-up efforts vs. Alw/MSW company, all on the weeds, and now the drop him in for a big payday. He could be around for part of this.
Oh-for-six this season, and other than a fourth in the Peter Pan (GIII), he really hasn’t been close to anything. They move him to the turf course looking to find lightning in a bottle, but he won’t be on any of my tickets today.
Got back to the winning ways taking the Winn (GIII) at CD in his most recent. He also kicked-off the ’23 season with an Alw win at SA, had a nice runner-up effor in the El Camino and was third in the Wood (GII). This is his first trip to the turf, but his works say bring it on.
Nothing bad to say about this one… five starts, three wins and two runner up efforts including a nose miss last out in the BEL Derby (GI). So it’s up the road a piece and going for another big payday today. He loves the weeds and was closing fast in that last race… is he the one?
Had a trio of less than great efforts, but has bounced back to win a nice OptAlw race at WO and then just miss after having the lead in the lane, only to be secon in the American Derby at CD. He runs well on wet or dry turf, so weather isn’t a question with him… give him a serous chance.
Bought for a mere $5.440 at the Mar Auction and the big barn has turned him into a big horse… he broke maiden at WO then won an Alw race over that surface. He won the Penny Ridge (GII) and was fourth in the BEL Derby (GI). Can he keep it together and get home in this one?
Was rolling along at the Alw level, show a win a second and a pair of thirds, then stopped like a bad watch in the BEL Derby (GI)
He’s still looking for his first win of the ’22 season, but has been third in his last pair of starts. Closed at 44/1 in the Penny Ridge (GII) and again to be third in the TX Turf. Does the added distance help his cause?
The one thing we know is this horse is glad the TC Races are done… won the Gotham (GIII) and AR Derby (GI) but was up the track in the three TC Races. Turned that around by winning the BEL Derby (GI) by a nose to turn that frown upside down.
Won the Palm Beach back in March and it’s been a trio of up-the-track finishes since then. He has closed in the late stages of some tough races, so maybe the added distance is what he’s looking for, and he can wake up here.
Early Scratch
Won the American Derby on the soft CD sod and he’s been close in a couple of of the stakes races. Turf is his game, and he’s another that the added distance could help him. He lives on the turf course so there’s no questions there. Let’s see if he keeps the momentum going.
Bang Bang Bang, three wins in a row including the Kent Stakes at DEL last out, and that was going a mile and an eighth on a wet turf course. Four wins from eight lifetime starts tells you that he certainly knows how to get his nose on the wire.
COZMAN 5 / 10 Willie’s Green Card 9 / 2 / 14
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
