2/11/23
1 GG El Camino [KYD]
$100.000 3YO 1 1/8m Dirt 122lbs +penalties
One minute you are in the race, next minute you sell, and you are covering the race… that’s life at HRP. We catch what is sure to be a full gate for the El Camino, and mile and an eighth test for TC hopefuls and there’s no lack of ways to go in this one. I’m looking for some value today and landed on Theegala as my top pick. He was sixth in the Smarty Jones but was closing and it was the first start for the new connections. I think he settles in and upsets the apple cart today. Let’s go right next door and put Joachim in the second spot. Another that shows distance is his friend, closing ground in every start, and he made a bold move in that Cal-bred stakes at SA… he could be the one to get past. So that means I passed on the probable favorite and two of Mb’s charges… you may want to ignore me.
Here’s The Field –
The Big Barn picks this one up via a $12.500 tag and jumps right into the deep end of the pool, going straight to stakes company. He’s been close in just about every race, and you know when this conditioner goes in for one, he had focus and an reason. I’m not picking him, but I may regret that.
Let’s keep the Big Barn roll going and this one just broke maiden at SA, getting home in wire-to-wire fashion and scoring by two in pretty quick time. That was at a flat mile, and you have to think they will use his speed to drive to drive this one home, as well. Keep an eye on him.
He broke maiden at FL and came back to take down Alw foes at PRX but was last of eleven in the Champaign (GI) on a wet track… could have been the rain, then was fourth in the Brown at CD before tiring to be tenth of twelve in the Jerome. His best could make him a threat, so give him a shot.
This one may have this racehorse that thing down… broke maiden at PRX and then came right back to win an Alw race at GP, both at a mile and both in fairly quick time. The extra eighth could be exactly what he wants, and you have to give him a serious look today.
Only three starts, and he broke maiden at WO on a wet surface. Tired in his ’23 debut, and he’s back on short rest and a longer distance, so I have some questions. If it rains, that could make him an interesting consideration, so watch the weather… he could be a bomber.
He’s been claimed more times that he’s won… now, that’s not a negative thing, since he was taken for a mere $3.500, but then for $50.000, so obviously the barn feels like he was on the improve. Broke maiden over this surface last out, and you know how I feel about home cookin’.
Snagged out of the Sep 22 Auction for just $3.010 and was second in his first start for the new connections. He broke maiden in May at TAM, was last of twelve in the Tremont, then last of six in a $50.000 claimer before being moved in the sale. Does the distance meet his wants? Could be.
I like him… he seems to like distance, and obviously that will be important as they progress through the season. He closed a late gap in the CAC Derby, and while it was against, Cal-bred types, it was a nice field. I think he will be in the mix when they cross the line.
They liked what they saw after that maiden and Alw win, back-to-back, so it was a purchase and immediate move to stakes company where he closed late to be sixth in the Smarty Jones. That Alw win was a closing effort over this track so the distance and coming back to a winning spot are both big up sides.
Really hasn’t run a bad race and closed well to be third in the Mucho Macho Man, his first swing at stake company. He won a nice Alw race, on the grass at TAM, prior to that, so it looks like this one could be a good field in the parking lot, if that’s what it took. I wouldn’t sleep on him.
Broke maiden at PRX and was off of the board in two Alw races, since that victory. He was gelded prior to that last out at FG, where he was second at the top of the lane, but lost position to end up fourth. He’s lightly raced, so maybe he improves and makes some noise today.
Obviously, this one has some real talent… broke maiden at MTH, was fourth in the Breeders Futurity and third last out in the Jerome at AQU. He closed in that race, closed in the mile and a sixteenth Alw race at GP prior to that… but can he get enough late momentum to carry him to the winner’s circle… we will find out, won’t we?
Also Eligible – will update if draws in
Also Eligible – will update if draws in
Also Eligible – will update if draws in
COZMAN 9 / 8 Willie’s Green Card 8 / 5
Categories: TC 2021-2023
