6/20/2020

 8   MTH     The Iselin Stakes (GIII)

      $200.000       3yo&Up       1 1/16m   Dirt       3yo 118  Older 124  +penalties

For me, The Iselin Stakes (GIII) is proof that summer is upon us… and let’s see if things can get heated up here today as we have eleven headed to the gate for the 2020 running of this NJ Classic.  The weight may play a big part of this one as the sophomores will get a big break today, and that will influence some of my picks.  I’ll take Geronimo here today as the 3yo is fresh off of the TC Tail and although it probably didn’t go as well as the owner would have liked, he still shows a ton of ability and class, and I believe it’s enough to get the job done here today.  Let’s drop down to the rail for another 3yo and put Reckoning in the second spot, fresh off of that third in the Sir Barton on PRK Day in Baltimore.  From that same race, I’d give the Sir Barton winner Chaos Broke Out a shot here today as well.  Any time Mb Stables has one in there, you have to look twice, but this one really seems to be getting better with each start, and he could end up being the one to get past.

I skipped the older horses because of the weight and nothing really jumping out at me… but it should be a fun race to watch.

Here’s The Field….

Nice third at PIM in the Sir Barton, doing all of the heavy lifting in that one before getting a bit weary late, only beaten a length.  He’s been tough in his last three starts so I’d give him another shot to be a factor here today as well.

He’s won three of his last four starts, the only down-side there is the loss was his only start vs. stakes company.  He has six lifetime wins, so goodness knows he can get his picture taken vs. any group of horses, but the weight and field is going to make this a tough one.

Kicked-off 2020 by taking the Razorback (GIII) at OP by a nose, then ran tenth in back-to-back races.  Got a bit closer in the PIM Special (GIII) where he was second deep into the lane only to finish fourth.  Maybe he can build on that effort and get this back on track.

Makes his first start vs. older after the TC races where he was last in the KYD (GI) and eighth in the PRK (GI).  I’m sure a bit of a break was appreciated, as we all know what that takes out of a horse.  He looked good winning the San Felipe back in Mar. and another one like that could make him a factor in this one.

Won a OptAlw race three back, then was second in the Westchester (GIII) before tiring after setting the pace in the Salvator Mile (GIII) over this track in his most recent.  He has eight wins in his career, but only a single win this season makes him a big of a long-shot in this one, I would have to guess. 

Broke maiden for $35.000 claimer in his most recent and now jumps into the deep end of the pool with this group.  He’s been close in quite a few starts, but most were of the maiden-tag variety and this is a tough spot to go for win number 2.

He’s been pretty sharp since the vet paid a visit just before Christmas…  since then, he broke maiden, won an OptAlw then got the job done in the Sir Barton as the odds on favorite.  He was also sixth in the Lexington (GIII) but even in that race, he was out there wingin’ it on the front end and trying to get the job done… another good one from the big barn.

He hasn’t won since last Apr when he took the Bay Shore (GIII) by a long neck… since then, it’s been close but no cigar, yet ye’s banked some serious cash along the way, such as a second in the Cigar (GI).  Can he finally get back to the picture booth or is he fighting for a piece of the pie?

Got his second lifetime win two back when taking an OptAlw field at SA, then was fifth beaten two in the Barrera (GIII) at SA in his most recent.  He has struggled against stakes company and this isn’t any easier.  He will need his best for any part of this one. 

Was up the track in the BC Classic after a successful 2019 season, and won two in a row for the new barn, then changed hands after running eighth in the CT Classic (GII).  He’s shown some fast works since that change, so maybe he gets back on track in this one.

Was on a hot streak then ran eleventh at GP and it’s been downhill ever since.  A seventh and an eighth since changing hands and now moves back over to the main track as the barn tries to shake this one up.  He’s been working well, but he will have to show me with skin in the game before I can believe he’s back in form.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES