5/29/21
1 BEL The Pennie Ridge (GII)
$200.000 3yo 1 1/8m InTurf 122lbs +penalties
We go to the BEL inner turf for The Pennie Ridge (GII), a mile and an eighth grass route for the sophomore sod monsters and the big barn, Mb Stables, has a trio of turf specialists set for this one. I landed on a pair of those as my top choices and took Evergreen on top. He was rolling before throwing a bad race in the KYD, and although this is his first move to the grass and coming off of a bad race, I’ll still give him the nod here. He has a half-brother with a big turf history, so… I’ll take him. Owens, his stable-mate, will probably be the post time favorite and should also be give a huge look. He won his first start for the big barn and looks like he love the green stuff.
Here’s The Field –
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King Of Swords | Mb Stables | Carmouche K | 122 | 7/1 |
The big barn brings a trio into this one and this seems to be the outsider of that group… won two in a row including the Black and Gold at FG, then was an off-the-board sixth in the SF Mile (GIII). Three wins from six starts, so he knows how to get his picture taken.
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Owens | Mb Stables | Davis D | 122 | 9/5 |
Changed barns to Mb prior to that nice win at AQU in the Woodhaven where he closed in a big way late to get the job done and het his first stakes score. This looks like a spot for him to to back into the winner’s circle and should be the post time favorite.
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Cobra Man | Arindel | Saez L | 122 | 4/1 |
Four wins in a row, then a nice second in the Transylvania (GIII) at KEE but bounced in a bad way when last of twelve at CD in the American Turf (GII) at CD in his most recent. Was that just a rough race or a sign of things to come? I go with a bounce and look for him to come back and be a force in this one.
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Evergreen | Mb Stables | Lezcano J | 124 | 3/1 |
Three wins in a row and looked sharp coming into the KYD (GI) but only beat a single horse that day, in what seems like years ago. He’s better than that race and should get back on track here and be a big factor when they hit the wire. He makes a real tough trio for the big barn, give him a look.
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Off Track Torcher | Maxmillion Farm | Franco M | 122 | 6/1 |
Broke maiden and was second in the Dania Beach at GP, changed hands agin and has been fifth and third for the new connections. I think he’s going to need to kick it up a notch to run with this group, but the barn knows what they have so I’d give him a look to improve.
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Jakarta | Fractious | Velazquez J R | 122 | 4/1 |
Another that has changed hands a couple of times of late, but looked good running third in the American Turf (GII) in his most recent, where he was only a half length back. Missed a nose vs. stakes company at HOU as well, so it looks like he’s a good fit with this bunch.
COZMAN 4 / 2 Willie’s Green Card 2 / 6
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
