9/7/24

  1  CNL   VA Derby (GIII)       

$500.000    3yo    1 1/8m  Turf     122lbs

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Two hours south-east of Culpeper, where the Green Card was invented, we head to CNL for the VA Derby (GIII), a mile and an eighth event for the sophomores and the never-ending trek of Derby races, over what may be the most beautiful turf course in the United States.  And yes, I’ve seen ’em all.  The Card and I see this one the same way, just flip-flopped, and Influence is my top pick.  His only win came at SA when breaking maiden vs. Cal-bred types, but he’s been second in a couple of races, including last out in the KD Preview Nashville Derby.  Let’s go to the outside and give Chaparral Cowboy a big shot to get the job done, and he may be the post-time favorite.  He looked awesome taking the Pennine Ridge (GII), then ran a solid race to be fourth in the BEL Derby (GI), both of those over the AQU lawn. 

It’s a small field with a bit of everything… let’s see how they go. 

Here’s The Field –

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1		Inherently		Mb Stables		Alvarado J		122		10/1
2		Influence		Mb Stables		Spencer J P		122		5/2
3		Jersey Joe		D J C Racing Stables		Rodriguez A R		122		10/1
4		Zensation		Threshold		Ruiz Jo		122		9/2
5		Apple Slices		Maxmillion Farm		Moran D		122		12/1
6		Chaparral Cowboy		Nakamura Stables		Martinez C		122		7/2

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COZMAN   2 / 6          Willie’s Green Card    6 / 2     

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