9/4/2021

   12    SAR     The JC Gold Cup (GI)  [BC]

$1,000.000      3yo&Up     1 1/4m    Dirt          3yo 120lbs  Older 124lbs

Back to school, pool closing… it’s end of summer and almost time to pack-up and leave The Spa, but not before we take in one of the classics, The JC Gold Cup (GI) with big ramifications towards heading to DMR this fall for the BC Classic.  The gate looks like it will be full as we have the max fourteen entered and one of the AE list.  It’s a who’s who of older handicap type horses here, we even get a 3yo filly and an older mare in the field… something for everyone.  I’m going to look toward the proven commodities and will put Splash Mountain on top today.  The post is a bit of a turn-off but he was third in the PIM Special (GIII) from an outside post and I think the mile and a quarter distance is the key point for taking him on top in this one.  Another with a long list of wins is Tactical, and I think he deserves a big look here.  He has run big in every start this year, other than that GP flop, so look for him to be right in the thick of things when the run down the lane.  Space Commander catches the rail, and with his tactical speed, that could be a nice combo here.  He was on the front end last out taking the Whiney (GI) in a DH, but he usually has the hops to be in the running, no matter the race.

As said, there’s a bit of everything here, but let’s go with the tried and true and see if we can’t land a nice ticket here today..

Here’s The Field –  

Looked good winning (DH) the Whitney over this track in his most recent.  Also won the Gold Cup (GI) (DH) and the Pegasus World Cup (GI) to make up his three seasonal victories.  He was also the runner up in the SA Hcp (GI), and his resume’ speaks for itself.  When he’s right, he’s as good as any horse there is, and he looks right… give him a big shot today, especially from the rail. 

Broke maiden two back then was second in the ELP Derby in his most recent.  Obviously, he’s lightly raced and this is the first time he’s seen horses of this caliber.  Could he fool me, yes he could, but I’ll have to see it.  He is worth placing on those exotic tickets, just in case. 

Broke maiden and was claimed for $50.000 in his last out performance, and the new barn goes big game hunting right out of the bag.  He’s been on the board in half of his lifetime starts, but this is asking a whole lot today… I’ll pass.

Back to back wins taking the Met Mile (GI) and then the Whitney (GI) (DH) so there’s no doubt that this one is about as sharp as you could want a horse to be.  He was second in the OP Hcp (GII) prior to those wins, so you have to give him a big chance in this one as well. 

Never seems to miss a check, but he’s never seen the likes of these.  Back to back wins coming into today, and was second in a NY-bred stakes earlier in the spring, he also won over this track last out taking down a big OptAlw purse.  Can he run with these?  I guess we find out today. 

When he’s good, he’s really good… he won the LA Stakes to kick off the year, and looked good taking the PRM Cornhusker (GIII) two back.  The thing is, when he’s bad… he’s bad.  Beat one last out in the Whiney (GI) and has a trio of bad races prior to that win in the PRM stakes win.  It’s just a matter of which horse shows up. 

Didn’t fire last year in the BC and started off ’21 with a less than thrilling finish in the Pegasus (GI) but he found his stride again and has been getting checks in every race.  Won the Gold Cup (GI) (DH) at SA and just missed last out in the Whitney (GI) and he’s raced with most of this field before… they know what they are here for. 

She’s been tough in the big 3yo filly races showing runner up finishes in the Mother Goose (GII) and Alabama (GI) (DH) but this is older males and I’m just not a big fan of this.  She could fool me, but she’s going to have to pull that off. 

Interesting placement for this turf monster as he heads over to the main track which he hasn’t seen since the BC Dirt Mile (GI) at KEE last fall.  Now don’t get me wrong, he won the FLA Derby (GI) last year and he’s shown a lot of talent on the main track… you have to give him a serious look here, but he sure does like the grass. 

Kind of a forgotten horse in the Mb Super Stable, but he won some big races as a 2yo, was third in last years KYD (GI), but just hasn’t realized his old form this season.  His lone win came vs Alw types at GG, but he did wake up a big to be the runner-up in the Birdstone over this track last out.  Can they find some old magic an get the job done here?

Hard knocking mare that tried the boys in the Whitney and was ninth in that one.  Many of the same in here and this may be even tougher so she has to find something more or it will be another long day at the office.  She has three wins this year, but those were with the ladies… need I say more?

Third part to the Mb Stables trio and he has two wins this year including the SA Hcp (GI) so you know he’s got what it takes.  Was third in the Gold Cup (GI) at SA and the Suburban (GII) at BEL.  I look for a big run today, although he is back on short rest (8/21). 

He’s only missed one check this year and looked good winning the OP Hcp (GII) and the Suburban (GII) in his most recent effort.  The old boy obviously hasn’t missed a beat in his 6yo campaign, and this is a spot for him to get to that $8,000.000 mark… that is a special place. 

Won the Hals Hope (GIII) at GP back in Mar and had good runs in the Gold Cup (GI) where he was fourth, then a runner-up effort in the Foster (GII) at CD where he missed by a nose.  Chucked a bad one in the Whitney (GI where he was tenth, so he needs to bounce back from that one and I think he can do just that a be a big factor. 

Would need some help to draw into the field here.  He struggled in both the FOY (GII) and the AR Derby (GI) but has a couple of decent Alw starts since then.  I think it would be better for him to look for something a bit softer.  

COZMAN      13 / 7 / 1         Willie’s Green Card      2 / 4 / 13

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES