5/25/2020

2 SA      The Gold Cup (GI)

$500.000      3yo&Up     1 1/4m  Dirt            3yo 121lbs  older 124lbs

The big boys come out for the big purse and we have ten superior handicap horses headed to the gate for the 2020 Gold Cup (GI) to be run at a mile and a quarter on the SA main track.  So which way do you go here?  I am putting my stamp on Tactical.  I know, I know, that last out sixth at CT was the talk of the forums, but I don’t put a hill of beans in that race.  He was second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) and BC Classic (GI) both at this distance.  He won his other two starts this season… I think this is right where he wants to be.  If I’m wrong, I’ll take Achilles in the second sport.  The SA Hcp (GI) win is certainly a race that can not be ignored… at today’s distance, over this track and he followed that up with at win in the fore-mentioned CT Classic.  He’s hot as coal and ready to roll.  This should be a great one… grave a cold-snack and let’s go catch a glimpse.

Here’s The Field –

Nice run last out at LS getting in the game late and running third in the TX Mile (GIII) at long odds.  He only has a maiden win to his credit and was up the track in the LA Derby (GII) but that does prove that this sharp outfit likes the horse and certainly thinks he has some ability… they didn’t come here just to run in a graded race.

Won the BC Dirt Mile (GI), flying home from way back, but it’s been a bit of a challenge since.  He was third in the Pegasus, then a tenth and a fifth… so he’s looking for a change of form.  No doubt he has some real ability, now, can he find the old mojo and turn it around?

I think the rumors of his demise are greatly exaggerated… it’s been many a great horse that goes to CT only to have their heart broken… both here and in RL.  I’ll draw a line right thru that last out sixth and look for him to run another huge race here today.  For those that ignore him, I think you are making a big mistake.

Got back on track last out taking down a nice Alw group, over this track and at today’s distance.  Wire to wire going a mile and a quarter will turn some heads and he does have six wins fifteen on-the-board races from twenty-three starts, but he will need his best to get the job done with this bunch. 

Purchase back in Aug of last year and he’s been tough as nail since then.  Three wins, two of those graded, and a pair of thirds, both of those against graded horses.  He hasn’t been the distance, but certainly seems to be in his sights and should not be an issue.  He looks like a serious shot. 

Nice win last out in the NO Hcp (GII) where he showed a ton of speed and just ran that field into the ground.  He’d gone a while without a win, so maybe he’s back on the muscle and ready to show it again.  Eight wins from twenty-two starts, so you know he can get it done.

Three wins in a row and that last out victory in the OP Hcp (GII) shows that he has the ability to run with just about anybody.  He was on a streak of less-than-impressive races but took down a couple of Alw races to get back in form.  So who shows up today as Mb has a three-headed monster for this big purse. 

He’s sharp as a knife right now… took the SA Hcp (GI) then right back to mow down the CT Classic (GII), both of those with huge late runs.  He was closing fast in the Pegasus (GI) at GP but ran out of real estate and this mile and a quarter distance should be right where he want to be. 

Two wins and a second in his three 2020 runs, and won the KY Cup in that string of starts.  You could have claimed him for $35.000 last summer, and probably would have been smart doing just that.  I’m not sure he can get the win here but he could be around for a minor share. 

Six wins in his last seven starts including  a nice win last out in the Ali (GIII) at KEE to get his first graded win.  He usually comes from far back so his trip will be very important to where he finishes, like that isn’t always important, but the post certainly doesn’t help.  Still, did he forget how to get beat?

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES