5/15/22
5 WO The Cartier (GIII)
$150.000 4yo&Up 6f Dirt 122lbs +penalties
Older sprint types will be going six furlongs on the main track, here at WO, and we look at the field for The Cartier (GIII). This is a nice group and you could go any number of ways but I took Elusive Star as my top choice. He lit up the tote at SA last out, making the first start for Barcelona Farms, but it’s the time of the race that makes me go in his direction. 1:082 for the six panels is flying, so I’ll look for him to repeat. Let’s go to the outside post and look at La Grange for part of this one. The horse just never seems to run a bad race and his last two have been rapid, his most recent was over the track. There is a ton of class and speed in here, so it should be a hot pace and a fast race.
Here’s The Field –
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Asset Angel | Threshold | Bahen S R | 122 | 9/2 |
Has been close in his last three, and just prior to that he was tagged for $45.000. Just missed in the Fall Highweight (GIII) to close out the ’21 season and another like that would put him right in the middle of things. Is he due for a win?
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Stand In Line | Angelos Stable | Husbands P | 122 | 5/1 |
Won a Cal-bred stakes at GG, then was sixth in the Fleet Sprint (GIII) at OP, but you know me feelings on tough trips over that strip. A repeat of that run at GG and he could roll to another win. It’s just a matter of who shows up today.
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Barbary Appeal | Axeman | Moran D | 122 | 9/2 |
Back to back wins at the Alw level, both at five and a half furlongs, one at FG and one on the left coast at SA. The old boy has twelve wins and backs that up with twelve runner-up finishes, and eight thirds from forty-six starts. Obviously, his best would make him tough.
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Buck | Big Jd Racing | Wilson E J | 122 | 7/1 |
He was sold at the Dec 21 Auction for just $3.120, and he’s been tough in all four starts for the new connections. He just keeps on stepping up and keeps running hard, so no reason to think he won’t keep it going today.
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Ginger Clean | The Sidley Stud | Boulanger G | 122 | 5/2 |
Very consistent type that never seems to run a bad race… two wins and two seconds from four starts this year and was on the board in six of eight last year. You get the idea, he can run and loves the sprint races. He may be the one to get past.
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Elusive Star | Barcelona Farms | Kimura K | 122 | 10/1 |
Claimed down at FG for $40.000 and won at huge odds at SA last out. He’s all about the speed, it’s just a matter of how far he goes. Did the lasix add made the big difference last out? I’m not sure, but another like that and he may be a horse to watch.
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Winchester | John Henry | Hernandez R M | 122 | 7/2 |
Class rascal that has won a bunch of money and won the Forego (GI) last season, along with that turf stakes at TAM. He’s been fourth in the GP Sprint Championship (GIII) and the Carter Hcp (GI) so he certainly has the credentials.
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La Grange | John Henry | Gallardo A A | 122 | 7/2 |
He shows a 1-1-1 line from three seasonal starts and just missed over this track last out in the Thorncliffe. He certainly has speed to spare, it’s just a matter of being able to go with this class of horse and I think he has that covered as well. Give him a look
Early Scratch – 7 Accountant
COZMAN 6 / 9 Willie’s Green Card 9 / 5
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
