This one has had a pretty good start to the ’16 season… broke maiden in Jan then came back to be second in the San Marcos Stakes (GII) at SA in his most recent effort.  It appears that he’s going to be a bit of a late bloomer, but certainly seems to enjoy running all day long.  Give him a chance in this one.

Beat up on a group of maidens at HOU last out, winning by eleven in pretty fast time.  That was only his second start but the barn is known for bringing them out firing fast and furious.  I’m going to look at some others but I certainly won’t be surprised if he opens up.

Sold for $500.000 back in Nov of last season and hasn’t won yet for the new barn.  He’s been on the board in a couple of graded efforts and was fifth last out facing similar.  They bring him east looking for a win but this doesn’t look any easier.

Switched back to the turf after a string of main track starts and responded with a win at SA while facing Cal-bred stakes horses.  He certainly likes the longer type races, which he proved winning the BEL Derby (GI) last summer…  so you know he can run a bit.  I like him a little bit here.

Classy rascal only won one race last year and still put over $1,000.000 in the bank.  Third on BC Day and won his first start of the season while facing OptAlw horses at TAM.  They may beat him, but they will have to do jus that… beat him.

He’s won four in a row and is undefeated in two starts this year… so it’s time to see if he can move on to graded types.  He loves the turf, has won sprinting and at two turns… there’s just not much he CAN’T do.  This is an acid test but he sure is tough.

Fourth in his return to the races while facing graded types at SA in his ’16 debut.  Two wins last year while stuffing $876.000 in the bank, so you know he wasn’t running against cheap horses.  I thought his third in the Arlington Mil was a heck of a race… he should not be ignored.

The old guy just seems to be getting better with age… if that’s possible.  Nice placing to kick off the ’16 season while facing Alw marathon horses at GP.  He was claimed for $15.000 and that’s certainly proving to be a smart nab by this barn.  He won a graded race at AQU at this distance, so you know they have him ready to fire.

He’s already matched his ’15 win total, taking his ’16 debut at today’s distance, beating Alw horses in NoCal.  He won at DMR last year at this distance, as well, so maybe he just has a thing for this distance.

Beaten favorite when third at FG last out in the Bradley Hcp (GIII).  He had a pair of wins in ’15 and his best days may be ahead of him as he seems to be working well and should fit well in this one.  Running style may say a lot about where he finishes.

Sold for $60.000 at the Dec Auction and was an instant payoff for the new connections when he took the SSM Turf at GP to get ’16 started in the right way.  Nice stalking race while being sent off as a 30/1 outsider.  I’m not pleased with his post draw.

Two wins in ’15 and this is his seasonal debut.  Caught the far outside post, but if he can use his late running style and find a clear path in the late stages, he could pull one off on them.

            Willie’s Green Card    5 /  4  /  11

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