7/2/22

  11  CD  Wise Dan (GII)

$350.000    4yo&Up   1 1/16m Turf  122lbs

It’s a big weekend of racing here in Louisville and we look at the field for the Wise Dan (GII) a mile and a sixteen turf race for the older handicap types and it’s a great field of eight headed to the post for this one.  I landed on Jakarta as the top choice in this one as he looked very game in the Shoemaker Mile (GI), his most recent trip to the gate.  That was only the second start for the new owner and I think today is the day they start to see some real returns on the investment.  Another that is in great form is Raj The Magician.  He’s a real rags-to-riches type, running in cheap claimers just a few races back, yet won the GIII Arlington over this course in his most recent… a great story.  Speaking of a great story, isn’t the long lasting career of Lets Do It Big Boy right up there?  Even at 8yo, he just keeps going out there like a war horse, bringing back checks… don’t sleep on him today.

It looks like a good one, so grab a cold snack and let’s get down to the rail!

Here’s The Field –

Big time purchase for $450.000 via private means, then was fifth in the marathon Elkhorn (GII) at KEE, only to just miss in the Shoemaker Mile (GI) so he looks to be in fine form and ready to run another big one today.  I think you have to give him serious consideration. 

Was claimed for $40.000 three races back and man it’s been a crazy ride since… came back to be third in the Excelsior at AQU, but was next to last in the OP Hcp (GII), only to tire badly last out in a N1X Alw race here.  So it’s back to the weeds and hope to turn things around. 

Classy ol rascal that has put some put some serious cash in the bank through the years… you don’t earn a dozen wins facing the horses he has and not go down as a big big horse.  He’s been four th in his last pair, including Forrester (GI) over this course, two starts back.  His best makes him a threat… heck, his best makes him a winner. 

A solid performer that has been on the board in three of four starts this year, but he has been looking at graded horses.  He was the runner up in a Cal-bred stakes at SA on the down-hill course, but this is an acid test.  Still, the big barn knows his horse, so don’t ignore this one. 

Never seems to run a bad race and could have been claimed for a mere $10.000 just a few races back but those days are over with back-to-back stakes victories in the Open Verse and the Arlington (GIII), both over this turf course.  I’m a firm believer in horses for courses and this may be his spot.  

Kicked the season off with three consecutive wins, then was sold for $75.000… so the raise was on where he beat one in the Shoemaker Mile (GI).  It looks like he’s done his best work winging it on the front end, so maybe a change of tactics here?

Had his win streak broken with a pair of back-to-back fourth place finishes in the Elkhorn (GII) and the Shoemaker Mile (GI).  He has a pair of races this season including a nice win in the Diamond (GII) at GP, and this could be a spot for him to get his picture taken again.  I like him. 

Back in business after a five year vacation and they go for the gusto here picking one up from Mb Stables for $66.660 at the recent auction.  He’s a four time winner but has been mid-pack in a number of recent races.  Can the barn find some magic and get it done?

COZMAN   1 / 5 / 3               Willie’s Green Card   5 / 4 / 1            

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES