5/6/2022

  9  CD     Alysheba (GII)

    $500.000    4yo&Up    1 1/16m  Dirt       122lbs

Well, the Alysheba (GII) sure did draw an all-star group on what is sure to be a huge weekend of racing here at CD, so let’s look at the field of nine set to go a mile and a sixteenth.  I’m going to put Eclipse My Knowledge on top in this one off of that huge run in the OP Mile (GIII) last out.  That’s two in a row for the old man and he seems to be on top of the world right now.  Let’s give Howl Of The Hound a chance to get back into the winner circle… obviously, he loves this track, winning the KYD here last season, so this may be a spot for him to get his picture taken.  It’s a star studded field and nothing will surprise me, so grab a cold snack and let’s get down to the rail for what is sure to be a head turner. 

Here’s the Field –

Has a win and a second this season, both at the Alw level, and his only graded stakes effort was a fifth in the San Pascal, all over the SoCal main track.  He can run, but this is a salty bunch and he will need his very best to be in the hunt today. 

Last year’s KYD (GI) winner makes his return to the Twin Spires and is still looking for his first win since taking the PRK (GI) in Bal’more last spring.  He’s been close in a number of races, including runner-up finishes in his last two, the GP Mile (GII) and the Carter Hcp (GI).  Can he show his best here in Louisville?

He’s having a great ’22 season with a 2/1/1 record and just missed last out when third beaten a length in the Carter at 75/1 odds.  He’s very lightly raced for a 5yo, making his seventh start here today… will the patience pay off?

The second half of the Mb Stables couple and while not as famous as his stablemate, this one surely has nothing to be ashamed of.  That was a huge win in the SA Hcp (GI) and even though he was fifth last out in the OP Mile (GIII) that race went in VERY fast time.  Watch him. 

A win and a second from two starts this season, and he just missed in the Ghostzapper (GIII) over the went GP oval in his most recent.  He won the ONT Derby (GIII) last season, so he knows how to get it done on a big stage. 

He’s been close in all three seasonal starts, winning the Stymie and running third in both the LA Stakes (GIII) and the OP Mile (GIII).  Another like those should put him in the middle of things when they turn for home. 

The old boy, now 7yo, has had a mixed bag this season.  He got things kicked off in style with a third in the Pegasus World Cup (GI) but was fourth in the San Carlos (GII) before a tiring sixth in the OP Mile (GIII).  Can he bounce back?

Lit it up last out taking the OP Mile (GIII) in very quick time.  At 7yo, he’s certainly running as well as ever and the conditioner has him on his toes right now.  Another like last out and it could be lights out for this bunch. 

Had two wins in a row prior to tiring late in the OP Mile (GIII) where he slammed on the brakes late in that one.  He won the Razorback Hcp (GIII) prior to that, and did so in a very fast time.  Did the prior race take something out of him and he bounces back today? 

COZMAN   8 / 2             Willie’s Green Card     8 / 6                

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES