IL Derby Grade III

For Three Year Olds

Going 1 1/8 Mile on the Dirt

Purse $400.000

Hawthorne

1   Rumby Willie                     Wolf Dens                               Potts C L

Comes off being sold in the March Auction for $39.990.  He made his debut for his new owner Wolfs Den on April 4th in the BG Stakes Grade I where he finished fifth.  Prior to the purchase he had a win over Allowance Non Winners of 1 race for a purse of $13.800.  Only his second attempt at going long, and his new owner is hoping he will be competitive.

2   Valparaiso                           Barcelona Farms                Mena M                           

Finished third in the LA Derby Grade I going this distance today.  Prior to that he finished second by a neck in the TUP Derby for a purse $75.000.  He has never won at a distance over a mile, and therefore could be in a  tough spot here.

3   Sindaco Di Firenze          Jerry Garcia Racing          Castellano J J               

Finished second in a dead heat in the BG Stakes at Keeneland about two weeks ago.  Comes back looking for a win with a drop in class, and facing easier company.  Still could be a price here, but the class drop today should help him some.

4   Here I Come                       Running Farms                  Talamo J

Picked up from a private sale about a month ago from BomBay Stables for a mere $150.000.  With that kind of sticker price his new owner is looking for a nice check.  Coming off an Allowance win for non winners of 1 race for a purse of $25.000 at todays distance.  I have to think he will need a better showing to be competitive against this group of boys!

5   Christmas Damsel          Mb Stables                             Eramia R E

Won an Allowance for Non Winners of 1 race over the good surface.  He ran up the track in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park.  He needs to have a better showing here to be in contention.  I like others more here.

6   Seeking The Wild           LionKing Stables               Pennington F

Since being purchase in a private sale for $35.000 in December, he has had three starts.  The closest finish was a second in his first race at Gulfstream Park going six furlongs on the dirt.  He finished second against Allowance Non Winners of 2 races for a purse of $37.000.  He recently ran in two Grade III races where he finished off the board in both, most recently the SUN Derby.

7   Xtra Strong Mint            Serenity Stables                 Stevens G L

Just purchased in a private sale from owner Blushing Meadows for $80.000.  Coming off a six furlong win over the muddy going against Allowance Non Winners of 1 race for a purse of $13.800.  First time going long, and I can’t get excited about that.

8   Simbas Revenge             A And I Stables                  Lezcano J

Ran off the board recently at Gulfstream Park in the FL Derby Grade I.  Prior to that he was purchased in February by LionKing Stables for $180.00.  Has not won since his Maiden win at LA at a mile.  Looking for a possible break through in his career with today’s win.

9  Rogue Warrior                Maxmillion Farm               Baze T C

Purchased almost 3 weeks ago from EasyMoney Stables for $150.000.  Has one win over a mile out of six starts.  That win was against Allowance Company going a mile and a sixteenth on the sod.  Tough call here, if he can improve moving back to the dirt.

10  Lb Greciantime             Grimley                                    Perez E E

Recently off the $25.000 claim and is making his debut for his new owner.  In the race he was claimed he won a Maiden Claimer for $25.000.  That was an impressive win by seven lengths going a mile at Gulfstream Park.  I’d wish he drew a better post position then 10.

11  Big Bird                             Blushing Meadows               Espinoza V

Claimed in November 2014 for $35.000 where he finished 4th after running in a $35.000 Claimer.  He was then gelded in January to hopefully improve his performance.  In February he won an Allowance going six furlongs.  Then he stretched out to a mile and a sixteenth on the dirt course where he ran in the Grade II San Felipe and ran seventh.  With a drop down, Big Bird is hoping to improve here.

12  Royal Mine                      Maxmillion Farm                  Baze R A

Ran horribly in the Grade II Rebel which the course came up sloppy.  We all know now that he hates wet tracks.  Prior to that he finished off the board in the Grade III El Camino.  He broke his Maiden at a Mile and Seventy Yards against Maiden Special Weights New York State Breds.  Must step up here.

Iwin Picks:  3/2/8

The Tout Picks:  2/3/1

Until next time this is Iwin signing off!

Categories: Grade III