2/4/23

   10   GP   The Holy Bull Stakes (GIII) [KYD]

     $250.000      3yo      1 1/6m     Dirt        121lbs

Here we go again… let’s shove the favorites to the outside because, random… right?  Thank goodness that RNG is checked daily.  You know my main rule in these races… if Mb is in there, give him top billing, so let’s head out to the outside post and look for Wahpekute Sioux to run big in The Holy Bull Stakes (GIII).  He just missed in the Sham (GIII) and another like that should make him a tough cookie.  I’ll stay outside and put Magical Sunset in the second spot.  He just changed hands for pretty penny, and was third in the Sham, so I expect him to keep up the good form and be a major player.  I agree with the Green Card and would not ignore Deep State in this race, as well.  He hasn’t lost since the vet paid a visit, and that last out closing effort was a head-turner.

Here’s The Field –  

Upset the applecart last out, winning a flat-mile OptAlw race at 27/1 odds, so it’s up the ladder and let’s see if he has TC ability.  He was sixth in his only stakes effort, but certainly improved at the longer distance, so maybe as the distances increase, so will his bankroll. 

He’s won three of four starts, so there’s no doubt that he has some real talent.  That was a nice score in the Grey Stakes (GIII) at WO in his closing effort of the 2yo season.  This is a spot where he could really shine, and I would not be surprised to see him getting his picture taken. 

Won his first three starts, but it’s gone 2-3-8 since, running second in the DMR Futurity (GI), third in the BC Juv (GI) and then eighth in the LA Futurity (GII).  Can he find some of the old magic and turn this around or does the decline continue?

Has been tough at CD, breaking maiden and winning an Alw race there, but once he leaves the Twin Spires, things have been tougher.  He was seventh in the Jerome, although he did close a big of ground in that one, but obviously he needs to change things or it could be a tough day.

Looked good taking that NY-bed Alw group to get her second win of his career.  She had the lead in that turf stakes race before tiring, but that was also a wet track.  She takes the five pounds, and we all know how that can play out, so let’s see. 

He’s got this race thing figured out after running last in his opener, then broke maiden in his first start over this surface, only to come back and take down the Limehouse last out.  Obviously, he like it here in SoFla, so give him a big look in this one. 

His last four starts have been a bit of a struggle, a tenth in the Bourbon (GII), ninth in the BC Jub (GI), improved to be fourth in the Remsen (GII) only to flatten out and be nine in the CA Cup Derby.  He won the Sapling back in Aug, but he needs to find that form again. 

Once the vet came by and re-focused his career from the breeding shed to the racetrack, he’s three-for-three, breaking maiden here, then winning a nice Alw race at KEE before winning the RP Springboard Mile in a fantastic closing effort.  He is certainly a horse to watch today. 

Looked good taking the Gun Runner at FG going wire to wire in that one.  He seems to do his best work when he shows speed (can’t we all say that), so look for him to flex his early lick today as well.  If he can run back to that last out race, he could be tough to get past. 

He really hasn’t run a bad race, and shows a second in the Brown at CD, and a closing third in the Sugar Bowl at FG last out.  He shows a late turn of foot, so I’d look for him to enjoy the longer distance, could be overlooked and certainly seems to be around when they hand out checks. 

I was a bit surprised to see this one change hands, off of that nice third (DH) in the Sham Stakes (GIII).  He also won a NY bred stakes up at FL and has been close in a couple of other races, as well.  I like him and I think he will run a big race for the new barn. 

It’s not a big race if the Big Barn isn’t involved and Mb comes with a nice colt that he obviously liked, as he could have claimed him for $6.250, but gave $100.000.  He has a pair of runner-up efforts, one in the Golden State Juv and last out in the Sham Stakes (GIII) and won the Brown at CD between those races.  Look out. 

COZMAN    12 / 11       Willie’s Green Card   8 / 12           

Categories: TC 2021-2023