The Wise Dan – GII
6/15/19
CD Race 9 1 1/16M – Turf
Purse $250.000
Three Year Olds and Up

A field of eight runners has been entered up for this years running of the grade two Wise Dan over the Churchill Downs turf course. It’s a pretty good field and it looks like a competitive race on paper to me. Let’s go ahead and take a look at the field.

1. Sinister Sunset (22-5-4-3 $344.420), trained by Team 7 Illusions

The first runner in the field right here is coming into this race off of a terrible last place finish in his last start. He was used as the rabbit that day and went fast early and then faded to last and got beat by eighteen lengths. He will have a better shot in here as he won’t be used as a rabbit.

2. Born To Party (5-1-1-2 $40.480), trained by Oquinn Farm

This next runner in the field right here is coming into this race off of a maiden breaking score in a maiden special weight at Parx. He won nicely that day but this is a big jump up in class for sure. I don’t think he is ready for this level yet but maybe he will run a huge race.

3. Devilish Details (10-4-1-1 $200.600), trained by Mb Stables

This next runner in the field is a three year old and he is coming into this race off of a fourth place finish in the grade two American Turf. He usually likes to come from far back so a fast pace will help him out. I think he has a love shot in here.

4. Rookaholic (26-4-4-2 $260.160), trained by TwinTowers Racing

And now to this runner right here who will be returning to the turf off of a sixth place finish in the grade three Pimlico Special. He didn’t do a whole lot of running that day but I do think he is better on turf. I don’t see him winning but maybe hitting the bottom of the board.

5. Mean Street (48-13-12-7 $1,276.990), trained by Nakamura Stables

Well the old nine year old veteran in the field right here and he has been through this before. He won the grade three Thunder Road earlier this year and showed he still had a spring in his step. I think he fits nicely in this spot and it wouldn’t surprise me if he got the win.

6. Seminole (19-4-7-4 $672.200), trained by On The Map Racing

My top choice of the field right here and he is coming into this race off of a second place finish in the grade Muniz Memorial Handicap. He ran a huge race that day and earned a 100 SRF Rating. I think he is the horse to beat and he is my top chocie.

7. Homme De Guerre (6-2-2-1 $93.200), trained by Blushing Meadows

And this next runner here is coming into this spot off of a huge win in an allowance race here at Churchill. He won a first level allowance by three lengths but it was over a soft track though. If there is some moisture in the course he will be pretty tough to beat.

8. Xmas Snow (15-5-2-1 $416.660), trained by Maxmillion Farm

And the final runner in the field right here is probably also the one with the most early speed. Be usually likes to gun it either to the lead or right near it that’s for sure. He is a classy horse and with this outside draw he will definitely be near the front. He is my second choice.

Summary

A nice field for sure and it looks to be very competitive to me. My top pick is Seminole as I think he is ready to go for this spot and I think that he will run a big race. I could see three or four others winning though if he doesn’t show up. Good luck to all in the field.

6-8-5-3

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