4/9/22
18 SA SA Derby (GI) [KYD]
$750.000 3yo 1 1/8m Dirt 122lbs
Out to SoCal for a big big race on the road to the TC and we look at the field for the SA Derby (GI), going a mile and an eighth on the Arcadia oval. I gotta say, this field leaves me a bit speechless, but you have to play the hand you are dealt, so here we go. I took Dwindle as my top choice and I’m probably hoping for the 7/2 odds I gave him. He has three graded wins in his last four races so the table seems set for him to run big today. I’ll be shocked if he isn’t on the board. Let’s head out towards the outside post and give White Sunshine a shot. He’s lightly raced, this being his sixth start, and is always around when they hand out checks. I think the extra distance may fit him and I like his speed at a distance. Let’s stay towards the outside and put Croton Road in the mix as well. He’s been fourth in four of five recent starts and just seems to be sitting on a bigger effort. He closes from the clouds so he may need some racing luck but if he finds running room late, look out. You probably should give the filly a look as well, the weight break sure does help and this isn’t the saltiest group I’ve ever seen.
Here’s The Field –
Broke maiden at GP in his most recent, and that was on the grass, which his last three starts have been. They jump into the deep end of the pool, but nothing in this field jumps out so if he’s the real deal, maybe he gets it done.
Won the Sham (GIII) over this track but was sixth in both the Holy Bull (GIII) at GP and the San Felipe (GII) over this track. His best would put him in the middle of things, but his consistency is a real question mark.
Broke maiden in his third trip to the gate, then the lightly raced colt came back to be third at GP facing FL-bred Alw types. He seems to want a route of ground, so maybe the distance suits him and he pulls the upset.
ding ding ding… I think we have our favorite. He’s won three of his last four including the Nashua (GIII), Remsen (GII) and Gotham Mile (GIII), all at AQU. He was sixth in the Withers (GIII) but they all deserve a bad race every now and then. I think he’s the one to get past.
Broke maiden then a string of five mid-pack finishes vs stakes company, doing his best work vs. NY-bred types. He was fifth in the Jerome and Swale (GIII) and sixth in the TAM Derby (GII). He will need to show more if he wants to get the job done here.
She won the El Camino to make it back to back wins, after breaking maiden, then was a tiring fourth in the FG Oaks (GII). If she runs back to that El Camino race, she may find herself in the winner’s circle again.
He broke maiden over this track at second asking, while facing Cal-breds, and now goes for the gusto taking on the big dogs. Obviously, he could be any types and with only two race to gague, who knows? If you like him and he wins, you should be handsomely rewarded.
Only four races from this one but he’s won half of them, breaking maiden at GP then winning the TUP Derby in his most recent. He closed well to be third over this surface while facing Alw types, between those two wins. He certainly deserves a look.
He had a pair of wins early in his 2yo season, but it’s been a while since he had a Kodak moment. He does have some success over the surface running third in the CA Cup Derby and an OptAlw race, but he will need his best to get a part of this one.
He broke maiden at first asking and it’s been a mix lot since. He was fourth in the Hopeful (GI), CA Cup Derby and Mine That Bird Derby, but that fourth over this surface in the Pharoah (GI) may be his best race to date. Perhaps he likes the surface and gets a part.
Only four starts for this gelding and changed hands mid-way in his career. Won an Alw race of this track for the new connections then was fifth in the FofY (GII) at GP in his most recent trip to the gate. Obviously, this horse could be on the improve… he could be the wildcard.
Sold for $90.000 prior to that last out win over this track, taking down OptAlw types in fine fashion. Obviously, a step up from that, and he did struggle to be sixth in his only stakes race, but that was on the grass and for a different barn, so… what do we get today?
He’s been on the board in four of five starts and was fourth in his other race, his first trip to the gate, so it’s hard to say anything bad about him other than he’s just never seen graded horses before. He was the runner up in the CA Cup, so he’s beaten a few of these, and should be given a serious look.
He’s been a solid horse except for one issue… he’s failed at almost every stakes race… now he was second in the DMR Futurity (GI) but a sixthin the Pharoah (GI), he only beat one on BC Day, was sixth in the Davis (GIII) at TAM, then tired badly to be last of twelve in the TAM Derby (GII)… I think you see the trend.
COZMAN 4 / 13 / 10 Willie’s Green Card 10 / 8 / 6
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE TRIPLE CROWN
