7/3/21

  2   GP    Smile Sprint Hcp (GIII)

$200.000      3yo&Up       6f  Dirt        Hcp Weights

Sunny Florida and a fine field of sprinters looking at a nice $200.000 purse, and goodness knows the Smile Sprint Hcp (GIII) is always a great race.  There’s no difference today as we catch a great field and I’ve gone with the outside post and put Code Red Party on top today.  His consistency vs. graded horses just seems to put him in the spotlight here.  Let’s stay towards the outside and put Personal Beliefs in the second spot.  Here’s another that has given big efforts in big races and that certainly sets him up to be a huge factor today.  I’ll give Settle The Score Vr a shot  as well, in his first effort for the new connections.  He looked good winning (DH) at PIM prior to going to the June Auction, so let’s see if he keeps that form for the new barn. 

Here’s The Field –

Got the job done at GP sprinting with FL-bred OptAlw horses where he pulled away late to win by two.  He struggled vs stakes company so he will need to step his game up to be in the thick of this one.

Traded hands a couple of times back in the cold months and he’s still looking for his first win of the ’21 season.  He was third last out vs high-end Alw horses at CD, so maybe he’s rounding back into form.  Either way, he will need his best with this bunch.

Changed hands as this one passed through the June Auction fresh off of that win (DH) in the Lang Stakes (GIII) on PRK Day at PIM.  He was dismissed at 10/1 odds that day, and I don’t think you’ll get that today.  This is certainly a logical spot and this is a sharp outfit so I’d expect a big effort here.  

Took down Alw company at GP back in Mar then was off the board in a pair of stakes races, including a tiring fifth at CD in his last out effort, sent off as the post time favorite.  They move him back to the main track looking to shake him up.

Was rolling along with a pair of wins and a pair of runner-up efforts, then ran up the track in the Bold Venture (GIII) when taken up north of the border.  Obviously, he’s got to step his game up from that race or it’s going to be another long day. 

Kicked off ’21 with a win, a second and a third after being purchased from the Dec Auction, but his last pair, both graded efforts, have been less than thrilling.  He beat one horse at BEL in the Westchester (GIII) then was ninth in the Bold Venture (GIII) at WO.  That won’t cut it here.

Won his first start for the new connections after being nabbed out of a $35.000 claimer, but his duo of graded stakes races have been eighth place finishes where he tired in both.  Can he turn his form around in this one?

Won three races last season including the SA Sprint (GII) prior to that three race skid where he just struggled when facing top-notch horses.  Has bounced back in his last pair running third in the Kona Stakes (GIII) and then second in the MD Sprint (GIII).  He’s a nice horse that seems to be coming back into form and you have to give him a big look here.

Another that seems to perform well vs Alw horses but has found black-type foes to be a bit more than he wants.  Won on the CD turf vs Alw types then beat one horse in the McKay Turf Stakes, so  it’s back to the main track and a hope to turn his form around. 

Solid sprinter that has been doing most of his work on the lawn, but was second in the Carter Hcp (GI) where he set the pace and just missed in a game effort.  I like his chances here despite the post and look for him to be right in the thick of it when they go under the wire. 

Won over this surface and at today’s distance vs Alw types then was fourth vs NY-bred stakes company at BEL in his most recent.  He’s got some back class and could step up to surprise at any given time, so don’t leave him off of the exotic wagers today. 

Very consistent 3yo that seems to bring home  a check every time he goes to the gate.  Only nine starts so he still has room to improve, has won (DH) over this surface taking the Swale (GIII) and just looks ready to add to his resume’.  He looks the part and I think he’s the one to get past.

Would need help to draw in but after a sixth in the PIM Special (GIII) and an eighth in the Great Lakes at WO, I’m not sure they want to be part of this one. 

Has done most of his damage vs Alw and NY-bred horses and would need a couple of early scratches to make the draw.

COZMAN   12 / 10 / 3                 Willie’s Green Card     8 / 1 / 10     

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES