1/27/24
2 OP The Southwest (GIII) [KYD] 
$800.000 3yo 1 1/16m Dirt 121lbs
Down to Hot Springs, the winding roads and horrible food… but, that’s just me – The Southwest (GIII) looks like a race that EVERYONE will be watching. Well, is there any horse that a ’24 debut is more anticipated than Baffert? I doubt it… but, here we are. The Royalty Stables trained colt brings his three-race win streak to this KYD prep, and I’m sure he will be the overwhelming favorite, and of course, my top pick… can I go any other way? The Green Card says yes… but… I’ll take him til someone beats him. I’m looking for Bad Debt to give the top pick a tussle today, even though he’s looking for his first stakes win. He was close in both the Champagne (GI) and Remsen (GII), and his works say he’s ready to run a big one today. Let’s put Jurassic Park in the third spot… making his third lifetime start, I think he shows a big upside and a lot of promise. The barn knows how, and he could be a decent price, as well.
Yes, like a big dummy, I left Mb off of my ticket… I’ll live to regret it… I always do. That filly is tough as nails, but you know me and fillies against the boys. It’s a great group, and I wish the best of luck to all.
Here’s The Field –
Broke maiden at HST then won a high end Alw at SAR, but was a tiring fifth in the Display Stakes at WO, and again in the RP Springboard Mile at RP, last out. He’s gotta find a way to get the distance or it will be another long day at the office.
Kept his record unblemished with that closing win on a muddy track in the RP Springboard Mile, and that was his third stakes score. He won the Hope at DMR and the Manzano at ALB, along with that titillating eight length debut win at PEN…I think he would be the favorite today if not for…
Stable mate to the two horse, and has two wins to his own right, breaking maiden at first asking up at FL, the won a FL-bred Alw race at TAM after that fifth place Alw finish at PRX. Looks like distance is his game, so give him a puncher’s chance in here.
Broke maiden at DMR, then was sold and gelded… first start for the barn was a win the LA Futurity (GII) from a stalking position and did it in quick time. You always have to fear this barn, and certainly no reasons to leave this one off of your tickets.
She’s perfect… well, almost. Six wins and a second from eight starts, so it’s on to the boys to see what she’s made of. You know me, I’m no fan of g vs. b but she certainly has earned the right to see if she’s got what it takes. It’s a salty spot.
He’s king of the hill in most people’s eyes… three wins and a third from four starts, but I think that two length beat. in the BC Juv (GI) put people on notice that he is a bad ass. He won the Champagne (GI) in the same manner, blowing away the competition down the lane… he’s the one to beat.
I really like this colt… he broke maiden at first asking, then closed well on a muddy track when second in the RP Springboard Mile. He’s built to run all day, so I think he will get even better as the distances grow… can he get it done here?
Three wins, two of them stakes, both of those leading to this, including a wire-to-wire win in the Sugar Bowl at FG, to close out the ’23 season. Tight turns, full field… this is the kind of horse that could use his tactical speed to carry him to the finish line.
Two wins from five starts, but he’s only a couple lengths from some big big money. Only a length back in the Champagne (GI) and the Remsen (GII), so you get my point. He seems versatile in style, and certainly seems to have heart.
He’s been close in all starts, sans that seventh in the Hope (GIII) at DMR… of course, that was also his only graded effort, so he’s going to need to bring his best to get part of this. Then again, doesn’t this barn always get a chunk?
Won three of four, including the Iroquois (GIII), prior to that ninth-place finish in the BC Juv (GI). Still, he has two stakes wins, one graded and he’s shown some real ability against top-notch competition. I think he’s a horse that may like this track.
1-1-1 from three starts, and from a barn that always seems to put it together in the big races… he’s only seen NY-bred types to this point in his career, but the winner from that NY stakes came back to be third in the Lecomte (GIII) last weekend… expect good things from this one.
Looked solid taking the DeMille (GIII) at DMR to close out his freshman season, and that was his second stakes score, both of them on the green stuff. He did break maiden on the main track, so… he’s a horse that could run big.
Another that certainly seems to have a bright future, and the barn has been hot, as well… they picked this one up for a $50.000 tag, and he has two wins and a second, all vs. stakes company, since the hostile takeover. I’m not thrilled with the post draw and these tight turns, but he has tactical speed, so…
Only three starts, broke maiden at FG, and would need some help to get into this one.
Broke maiden at first asking and was right on the pace in the LA Futurity (GII) before tiring in the late stages. He’s going to need some scratches.
COZMAN 6 / 9 / 7 Willie’s Green Card 4 / 6 / 8
https://simracingform.com/2024/01/23/southwest-is-the-scene-for-baffert-24-debut-and-an-upset/amp/
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES, THE TRIPLE CROWN
