9/18/21

  7   CD   Iroquois (GIII) [BC]

 $200.000    2yo        1m  Dirt        120lbs

We head out to the Twin Spires and the traffic that is bound to be at CD on Saturday as the inebriated leave after the Friday night football game, and we look at the field of freshmen set to go a flat mile in the Iroquois (GIII).  I landed on Suikoden II as the top choice today.  He’s won two of three and was the runner up in his only other start (first start) and I think he just keeps getting better and puts another one away today.  I think Junkyard Dog is another that has a big future in front of him and that could start today… he’s been third in a pair of big graded races, so he knows what he’s up against and should be a big horse today.

You know me and these baby stakes, so go look at something else and you are probably safe. 

Here’s The Field –

Two wins, breaking maiden at TAM an then winning an OptAlw race at RE.  Looked good in the runner-up finish at WO taking on ONT-bred stakes company last out, so maybe they are getting this one sharper and ready to take on the big boys.  He should have some odds, so if you like him, jump on the bandwagon. 

Won his first two starts and it’s been tough since that.  Beat one horse in the SAR Special (GII) so it’s obvious that he needs to turn it around or … well or.  He looked good winning the KY Juv back in April, so we know he has the ability.  Let’s hope he gets it back where it belongs today.

Not a bad race from this one… second in his first start, then broke maiden at SAR, only to follow with a stakes win at WO taking down ONT-bred in wire-to-wire fashion.  Another like that should certainly make him a force in this one as well.  I’d give him a big chance today. 

Broke maide at WO in his second start, then came back to be a mid-pack fifth in the ELP Juv where he went off as the post time favorite.  He can get his mind off of the breeding shed as the vet has made the necessary adjustments.  That could spell watch-him today… I like him with the odds as the barn has been hot.

Broke maiden at CD in fine fashion then came back to be third in a pair of nice stakes at SAR, the Sanford (GIII) and the SAR Special (GII), and he was moving forward in both of those races.  The mile distance should be a good thing for him, so make sure you keep him in mind when going to the windows. 

Broke maiden at SA in his first start and the next two starts have been forgettable as he’s beaten on horse in that pair of races.  I’d normally just walk away but Mb doesn’t play around, so he obviously like this horse.  Bad instructions?  Didn’t get the jock he wanted?  I’m not sure, but he likes this horse so, be careful at the price. 

Won at first asking, took the FT Futurity in his third start, but has struggled in the two starts vs. graded horses.  He beat one horse in the Sanford (GIII), and was on the lead in the Best Pal (GII) but folded up to be fourth in the end.  He’ still worth a look here, if he brings his best.   

Got the job done at LAD in his most recent, taking down MSW at LAD on a wet surface.  That was at a distance so maybe he’s found his niche and needs a bit of ground to get things going.  If that’s the ticket, then he could be a serious contender in this one. 

Broke maiden at DMR last out beating Cal-bred MSW by a head as the luke-warm post-time favorite.  Just missed at ELP prior to that on a wet track so he seems to just be a dang’ed good race horse that give an honest effort every single time, and you want that.  He could be any type. 

Broke maiden at BEL in his third trip to the gate, came back to just miss on the SAR wet main track vs. high end Alw types, then beat one in the Funny Cide facing NY-bred stakes company.  He’s going to need more than that here, so improvement is necessary. 

EARLY SCRATCH

Tagged out of a $50.000 maiden claimer, so they liked him.  Came right back to win at first asking, taking down Alw types at ELP for the new connections, then was ninth of eleven in the SAR Special (GII), so he needs to step up in a big way today he he’s going to bring home some money. 

Draws into this one with the scratch and he’s interesting as he’s been very solid at the lower level, running second then winning at FP, both vs. MSW company.  Now that would be easy to dismiss since that a much softer place to run, but this is a sharp outfit and they know what they have in the tank.

  Also Eligible  

He looked good breaking maiden by five but would need help to get in and may be suited for a bit softer than this.

COZMAN   3 / 5                Willie’s Green Card     4 / 6 

Categories: BC 2021-2023, Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP