12/12/20
9 GP The Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (GII)
$200.000 3yo&Up 1 1/8m Turf 3yo 120lbs Older 123lbs +penalties
We head down to sunny FLA for The Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (GII) and my big question in this one is do we see the ugly “BC Bounce” or can those horses keep to their form. If the answer is yes, then I don’t think you can go past Hammerfest today. In know he has a single win this season and it was way back in March vs. Alw horses, but he has a string of on-the-board finishes that would make your head spin… including a near miss in the BC Turf (GI). I think he turns that around today and heads back to the winner’s circle. Technic had a rough first outing for the new barn, but I think the 3yo can get back on-track today and should be closer to the pace and a huge factor late.
It’s a nice group and these turf handicaps can be tough… should be a great race to watch.
Here’s The Field –
Jumps back into the deep end of the pool after a couple of Fla-bred victories including a stakes race in his most recent. He struggled in that AP graded race back in Aug, but seems to be in good form and could be a factor today.
Hasn’t had his picture taken since his first start of 2020 back in Jan where he took down Alw foes at GP. Since then, it’s been tough going and really hasn’t shown much in his last four starts. He needs to turn it around.
He’s been solid this season winning three of six starts including the Tokyo Cup (GIII) at SA going the marathon distance. Two of his recent wins have been at that distance, so the real question is, can he get there in this mile and an eighth stakes?
Solid year for this one on the board in five of nine with a pair of wins from those, including an overnight stakes at GP two starts back. The down side is his only graded effort was less than great so it brings in some questions.
Got back on the right side of things taking the River City (GIII) at CD in his most recent and had been knocking on the door coming into that one. A repeat of that should make him a major factor in this race as well.
Changed hands for a pretty penny prior to that last out race in the Pacific Classic (GI) where he went off as the favorite but never got involved. Perhaps you can write that off to the marathon distance – if so, then he should be right in the middle of this one.
He has three wins from seven starts this year and certainly seems to like the sod better than the main track. He won the Toronto Cup at WO back in Jun, and won an OptAlw race at PRX two back… give him a chance here.
He’s 0-for 2020 but that second in the Hill Prince (GII) was certainly a much needed wake-up. I’m guessing the barn is doing a rain dance since that last out was on soft footing, so maybe they found a hole-card.
All-or-nothing sort that has three on-the-board finishes this year, but also has a few 10/11/etc. to go with it. He won the Wise Dan (GII) at CD, so you know he can run… he was also last of fourteen in the BC Turf (GI)… who do we get today?
Only a single win in the 2020 season but he’s put some serious cash in the bank by being right in the thick of things and grabbing checks… and that was a big grab last out when second in the BC Turf (GI). Add in a handful of other on the board efforts in GI etc and you have a real nice horse. Can he win today?
COZMAN Picks 10 / 6 Willie’s Green Card 10 / 5 / 3
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
