7/30/22
7 DMR Crosby Stakes (GI) [BC]
$400.000 3yo&Up 6f Dirt 3yo 119 Older 124
West Coast and DMR for another big sprint stakes and we look at the field for the six furlong Crosby Stakes (GI). I’m going to go out on a limb in this one and place a hot-hand-horse and put Count Hound on top today. The three year old has back to back wins vs older types and looks to be in peak fitness. He’s won seven of eleven starts, so he certainly knows how. Shifu Tan is looking for his first win of ’22, but I’ll put him in the second spot off of those good efforts while facing graded foes. He was only a half length back when second in the True North (GII) so maybe he finds a bit more and scores. There’s a bunch in here with big wins, and they could get it done just as easy as my choices… it should be a good one.
Here’s The Field –
Won the Aristides at CD for his first stakes score of the year, the other two coming at the Alw level, and this one seems to be in very good form right now. The big barn knows when they have the horseflesh, so give this one a chance.
Tired over the CD turf and I think the main track is the best footing for this old-timer. He’s an 8yo now, but only has thirty-one starts, so he’s fresh. Two wins this season including the Clockers Corner on the SA grass, and the Kona Stakes (GIII) on the main SA oval… he can get it done.
His only ’22 win came in his first start, back in Jan, when he took the Toboggan (GIII) at AQU. He’s been on a steady diet of graded races, but not much to show since that win… can he turn it around in this one? Interesting jock choice…
Got his first seasonal win taking down Alw types at LS last out, and he did it in quick time. Only four starts this year, so he may just be rounding into form… add in that he was third in the Shear Mile Stakes, and it could be a spot for him to pull some magic.
Sold for $440.000 after the ’21 race season and he’s still looking for his first win for the new connections… now, don’t let that fool you, he’s been third twice and was runner up in the True North (GII) at BEL in his most recent trip to the gate, so he’s been knockin’… can he get it done today?
Sold for $150.000 after a slew of nice races… was moved up to graded horses where he was seventh in the Eclips (GII) at WO, but was it the move up in class of the extra distance? He came right back to win at six furlongs in quick time, taking down Alw horses at LS, so now we see how it goes.
Looked good winning the Fleet Spring Hcp (GIII) at OP, then threw a clunker when last of twleve in the CD (GI). He sold after that race for $125.000 and now the go after for the gusto today. His best could certainly earn him a check.
He’s still looking for his first win of the season, but was second in the GP Sprint Championship (GIII) after setting the pace in that one. He seems to be at his best when he’s out there winging it, so let’s see what the tactics are here in this one.
Sophomore comes in off of the TC Trail and has two wins this season including the Jerome and the Withers (GIII), both at AQU. He was sixth in the Winn (GIII) last out, so they shorten him up to see if they can rekindle the flame.
Another sophomore that comes into this one on a two race win streak as he won a big Alw race and then took the Kellys Landing, both over the CD oval. He’s running fast times and looks like a horse that could be making a ton of noise this fall… but can he make some here today?
Closed out ’21 with a win in the Harland (GIII) at GP, then had three up-the-track finishes before busting out of the funk and getting home first in the True North (GII), where he closed from off the pace to get the job done. Another like that and he could get his picture taken again.
Early Scratch
COZMAN 10 / 5 Willie’s Green Card 4 / 2 / 10
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP
