7/1/23
11 CD Wise Dan (GII) 
$400.000 4yo&Up 1 1/16th Turf 122lbs
Off to Louisville and the lush CD turf will be the spot for the Wise Dan (GII), a mile and a sixteenth sod test for the handicap gents, and we catch a nice field for this one. I landed on Penal Hockey Party as the top choice, as he just seems to be hitting on all eight cylinders right now. Who knows… he may have 10 or 12… back-to-back runner up finishes at a mile, then won the Forrester (GI) over this track at a mile and an eighth… he’s the one for me. Jakarta is another that is hot right now, showing three graded wins in a row, including the Shoemaker (GI) at SA in his most recent. You can make a case for a few others, but let’s run with this exacta box and see how we do.
Here’s The Field –
Claimed for $50.000 and won at first asking for the new barn, taking down Alw types at PRX, and did it in impressive fashion going wire to wire vs. that group. He had been a sprinter prior to that, but certainly liked the longer distance… this is a bit shorter, but… he could be any type.
Solid handicap type that is always around when they hand-out checks. Won the Forrester over this surface last out, so there’s not a lot of questions that he hasn’t already answered. I think you have to give him a big look to get the job done again today.
Another solid handicap horse that is 1/2/3 in every start other than that marathon race that just didn’t seem to be his cup of tea… or was it the wet ground? Either way, I think you have to give him a serious look today, as he should be around when they hand out checks.
He’s been in the frame at every asking, so it’s up the ladder and stakes company for this one. He’s 2-1-1 this year, all in Alw races, so this is the logical spot to see what he’s made of. He’s raced from 5f to 1 1/16th, and he just runs hard every time. Expect more of the same today.
Second in the BC Turf (GI) last season, but it’s been tough since. He’s been facing tough horses but has been near the back of the pack in his last four. He either turns it around or it may be time for virtual Old Friends.
Three wins in a row taking the Canadian Turf (GIII) (DH) at GP, then taking down the SF Mile (GIII) before a wire-to-wire score in the Shoemaker Mile (GI) at SA. He’s on his toes and you have to give him a big look in this one, as well.
14-13-8 record from sixty-nine starts, with nearly $4k in the bank, so there’s no doubt that he is a turf monster… but… only a third in his last four starts makes it look like at 9yo, he may be closing it out, at least at this level. Does he have a big one left?
He’s been tough this season with a 2-2-0 record from five starts, winning the Kilroe Mile (GI) and the Makers Mark Mile (GI). He just missed last out in the Manhattan (GI) at BEL, and had the lead into the lane there, so give him a shot to be in the middle of this one, as well.
COZMAN 2 / 6 Willie’s Green Card 2 / 6 / 3
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
