11/28/2020

  9   DMR    HOL Derby (GI)    
       $300.000      3yo        1 1/8m  Turf        3yo 122lbs 

Derby Derby Derby… we get a field a ten for the HOL Derby (GI) and it’s a nice group of three-year-olds set to go a mile and an eighth at DMR for this one.  I landed on Hammerfest as my top selection today.  He just missed in the BC Turf (GI) and that along is enough to get my attention.  He also has a slew of close-up finishes and I think he is sitting on a big win today.  You can’t look at these graded races without giving Mb Stables a peak and Divos Moon Shot is my second choice in this one.  Three wins in a row certainly spells sharp and I think he will be a handful today.   

Here’s The Field –

Looked good getting the job done in the Twilight Derby (GII) at SA last out, and that was a nice bounce-back after a couple of up-the-track performances prior.  He’s won half of his six turf races so he likes the green stuff and seem to be in fine form.  

Was eighth in the Dandy (GII) but came back nicely to run third in the JC Gold Cup (GI) at BEL.  They make the switch over to the turf course with this one, so we have a new wrinkle.  He’s lightly raced so he is certainly capable of improvement. 

It’s been an up and down year for this one… After the TC Trail, he won the Queens Plate for a huge payday, then was fourth in the Travers, tenth in the PA Derby (GI) and eighth in the BC Dirt Mile (GI).  Can he get back on track today?

The big barn comes to win and that’s been his way in the last three taking a NY Bred race, then the VA Derby (GIII) and most recently the Knickerbocker (GII), getting home by two length in that one.  He sure does look sharp and I think you have to give him a big look today. 

His only 2020 win came in the American Derby at AP back in July.  He did wake up a bit last out at TUP facing OptAlw horses, but now it’s back to tough graded horses and that may make things a big difficult.  I think he’s a bit of an outsider in this group. 

Another that hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since the end of March when he took an Alw race at HOU but since then it’s been close but no cigar.  Still, you have to respect his seconds and thirds, especially that BC Turf (GI) runner up effort last out.  He looks sharp and should be tough again today. 

Two wins in his last three races but they were vs. Alw horses and this is a big step up from what he’s been looking at.  This is a sharp barn and they don’t enter just to run… they are here to win so they must really like this one. 

Took the United Nations (GI) back in June and it’s been tough since, although he was third last out at KEE in the Shadwell Turf Mile (GI) against some very good horses.  Did that get him back on track and ready to mix it up with these?

This one has shown some real turf-ability and I’m shocked they haven’t given him more shots on the grass.  Took The Oceanside over this surface and won the Northern Dancer (GI) over the WO turf at the marathon distance.  Will the turf spell win for this one again?

Seems to be improving as he was fourth vs. graded horses last out after a sting of good races at the ALW level.  Meets another tough group here today, but a repeat of that soggy effort at BEL last out could make him tough today. 

COZMAN PICKS   6 / 4          Willie’s Green Card    6  /  9  /  10

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES