2/27/22
3 SUN Mine That Bird Derby
$100.000 3yo 1 1/16m Dirt 120lbs +penalties
The TC Trail keeps moving towards Louisville and we look at the field for the Mine That Bird Derby, a mile and a sixteenth test over the main (only surface) track here at SUN. I’ll let the Green Card hand out the prospects in this one and he’s landed on Release Me as the top choice. Lightly raced but looked good breaking maiden at first asking then a sold third in the Mucho Macho Man at GP. America First is another that has to be given a serious look… this could was fourth in the Swale Stakes (GIII) last out and he certainly looks capable. Biscayne is another lightly raced horse and was a fast closing four in the Gun Runner at FG last out. Another race like that should put him in the middle of things here.
Here’s The Field –
She only has a maiden win but has been close in a number of graded races while facing her own kind. Fourth on BC Day and was the runner-up in the Sorrento Stakes (GII) at DMR. I think she’s in a tough spot here, but…
Broke maiden, was sold then ran a solid third in the Mucho Macho Man at GP as the 20/1 longshot. He looks like he has some talent and posted a solid work over the track, so I’d certainly give him a chance here today.
Sold after two decent trips to the gate and paid off right away, breaking maiden in wire to wire fashion at GP vs Fla bred types. The new barn added some equipment and stretched him out, and both seemed to be the right move. He could fool some people here.
Broke maiden at SA facing Cal bred types and came back with a closing fourth place effort at GP in the Swale (GIII) in his most recent. I think he may be a horse that will get better as the distances get longer, so lets see if he can build off of his recent success.
Broke maiden north of the border and was fourth vs ONT bred stakes company, only to lead until deep stretch in the Remsen (GII) at AQU. Followed that with a second at FG vs Alw company so he seems to always be around when they hand out checks.
He’s never run a bad race in three starts, just missing in his debut at FL, then breaking maiden over that surface. He closed well to be fourth beaten a length in the Gun Runner at FG last out and that certainly gives some hope to a big effort today.
Got the job done last out breaking maiden at GG in his third trip to the starting gate. Both of his one-mile races have been solid so he seems like the route of ground will again be to his liking. Solid am gallop at SA getting ready for this, so watch him.
Broke maiden in his first race, sailing home at CD in his debut. Since then, it’s been a mixed bag of up the track or fourth place finishes, all but one vs graded company. Can he step it up a notch and be a factor in this one?
He won the Dixon at PID, so he picks up a two pound penalty, and his trio of starts since that win have been less than thrilling, a pair of sixths and a ninth last out vs Cal bred types at SA. He’s going to need to show more if he want to be a factor.
He broke maiden at HAW in his third trip to the gate, then was fifth at GP in an open Alw race, only to follow that up with a third vs PA bred Alw foes at PRX. This is a big step up from there, so he’s going to need his best.
He’s still a maiden and was third at FG and the runner up at TAM, but vs MSW company. Stranger things have happened, but he would probably light up the tote if he wins this.
Early Scratch
Moves into the twelve hole with the scratch and this looks like a tough spot. He broke maiden at TUP then beat one while facing Alw types at SA last out. I’ll look at some others.
Willie’s Green Card 2 / 5 / 6
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, THE TRIPLE CROWN, Ungraded
