The countdown to the Iroquois. The second-to-last meeting of the spring. Time flies.
Riverdee is a little light with two entries in Nashville. I guess we could have entered a few more but I’ve been standing at Percy Warner Park when tired horses labor up that hill and wondered why we just did what we did. It’s a long trip. And a long year.
Zabeel Champion faces a big task, taking on Snap Decision, Abaan, Vae Patron, Foxy Walk and others in the Grade 1 Calvin Houghland Iroquois. Sponsored by Bank of America. Tough race, which is exactly what it’s meant to be, the championship race of the spring. Three miles. $250,000. Grade I. We got close to Snap last year, finishing third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths in course-record time. As Miles said, “Dad, Zabeel Champion ran the third fastest Iroquois in history.” I guess he did.
A win and Snap Decision becomes the all-time leading money earner in the sport. We’ll take our shot, our best against the best, and then stand back and salute if the 11-year-old son of Hard Spun wins his fourth Iroquois. Fourth. Yeah, that’s worth a salute.
Penicillin Success takes on a short field in the Mason Houghland Memorial. Sponsored by SkyWorks, the $25,000 pits allowance timber horses together in the finale. Competitive race. We have a shout there.
Seven hundred and 80 miles northeast at Willowdale Steeplechase, Riverdee goes a bit more heavier handed with – hopefully – four runners. Roja Redemption makes his second start over hurdles in the Rose Tree Cup. King Tsunami is hanging on the also-eligible list in the same race. The 110 handicappers are desperate for opportunity. Potus takes on nine rivals in the Landhope Cup, a maiden timber. Include It aims at the finale, the Marshall W. Jenney Memorial, an apprentice timber.
James Wyatt set to make his NSA debut on King Tsunami and Include It. He’s worked hard to get here.
