Expert Pick of the Week: 2022 Iroquois Stakes
Sep 16, 2022
An excellent field of nine juveniles will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Churchill Downs main surface in Saturday’s $300,000 Iroquois S. (G3). A trio of good-looking unbeaten prospects will lead the way in the competitive tilt in what promises to be an exciting weekend event beneath the Twin Spires.
The Steve Asmussen-trained Echo Again left little doubt as to who was best at first asking when striding home a dominant, 6 3/4-length winner at Saratoga on Aug. 10. By Gun Runner, the two-year-old colt led through that 6 1/2-furlong heat and gives the impression of a horse who will be adept at handling more distance going forward.
Echo Again was hammered to 3-5 odds in his first appearance so he was no secret, and a pair of subsequent morning moves on Saratoga's Oklahoma training track in advance of Saturday will have the Winchell homebred fit and ready to roll in his stakes debut. The April foal drew outside for this race and will benefit from being outside of his foes while clear throughout. Exciting gray will force the pace from the break with Joel Rosario picking up the mount.
Brad Cox’s Jace’s Road aired at first calling at Ellis Park on Aug. 6 and could be almost any kind. Purchased for $510,000 as a yearling, the son of Quality Road tracked the early tempo of that dash prior to drawing off in the stretch, and he has come back with four fine morning moves at Churchill Downs in the interim. The Kentucky-bred is bred to handle the distance with ease and picks up go-to pilot Florent Geroux.
Saratoga Special S. (G2) star Damon’s Mound is 2-for-2 to begin his career for conditioner Michelle Lovell, which includes a 12-length romp on debut at Churchill. Girvin colt has rallied from off the pace some in both lifetime engagements to date, and if he moves forward even a little on Saturday, then the Florida-bred could be the one. The March foal will retain the services of Gabe Saez.
An exacta with #9 Echo Again on top of #6 Jace’s Road and #3 Damon’s Mound in the Iroquois Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.
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