7/9/22

  2   IND    The IND Derby  (GIII)

$300.000   3yo    1 1/16m  Dirt       120lbs

The long list of Derby races just keeps on giving and we head out to IND for The IND Derby (GIII), a mile and a sixteenth main track stakes.  My old saying is when in doubt, take the Mb horse, and I am… give me Rogue Commando as the top selection off of those second-place finishes he keeps putting up.  I think he’s due for the win and he gets my $2.00.  Spiced is another that looks to be in good form and I’ll throw out that BEL (GI) race.  If he can run back to that Peter Pan (GIII) win, he should be all any of these will want.  I’m going back to Mb and will give Everymanforhimself a big chance today.  His KYD (GI) and BEL (GI) starts were forgettable, but he’s a nice horse and should do well with this group.    

Here’s The Field –

A change of adds and this one is running his eye-balls out now.  He won at CT then ran a big race in the Affirmed (GIII) at SA to be the runner-up in that one.  This is only his eighth start, so he has plenty of room to keep the improvements coming.  He could be tough in this one. 

Broke his maiden two back in a DH at CD, then was a tiring fourth in the Commentator at BEL while facing NY-breds.  Another that is lightly raced and could have a big improvement in his form, but he will probably need it to be part of this one. 

Makes a change of ownership as Max picks this one up for $175.000.  He broke maiden vs Cal-bred types at DMR and won an Alw race at SA, so while this is an obvious step up, and he has struggled vs graded foes, he is lightly raced and could improve. 

He’s been very consistent running at the Alw level so up to the big boys it is…  He won a nice Alw race  then closed to be third vs similar, both at CD.  he also broke maiden at SA going wire to wire, and I think speed may be his friend.  Can he step up here?

He’s won some big races including the Peter Pan (GIII) before that forgettable BEL (GI) race where he just didn’t lift a leg.  He just missed in the Holy Bull G(III) and won the KY Jockey Club (GII) earlier in his career, so give him a big look to return to form today. 

Here’s another that has run some big big races including a second in the Bay Shore (GIII) and a win in the Barrera (GIII) before falling apart late in the Stephens (GI) at BEL.  I think he can bounce back off of that last out poor race and be a big factor in this one. 

He’s been on a steady diet of NM-bred stakes and Alw races, but sold after that fifth place finish at SUN last out.  They are taking the hood off for this one, so it will be interesting to see if that’s all it takes to make this one a graded-type horse. 

Made his way through the TC Trail but didn’t bring anything away from it.  He was second in the Risen Star (GII) and LA Derby (GII) but failed to fire in both the KYD (GI) and BEL (GI), but I think he has some real talent and should be a major factor here today. 

Lightly raced and has been very consistent breaking maiden at FG and winning an Alw race at WO.  He just missed in the Sir Barton at PIM in his most recent and has been working well getting ready for this one.  Give him a serious look. 

Four starts since being purchased by the big barn and three of those are runner-up finishes despite no wins.  He was the runner-up in the San Vincent (GII) at SA, the FofY (GII) at GP and the Day Mile (GII) at CD.  I think he’s the one to get past today. 

COZMAN   10 / 5 / 8          Willie’s Green Card   10 / 3 / 1     

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES