Kentucky Derby 2023 Iroquois Stakes Preview & FREE Picks | Seize The Grey Gives Lukas Shot At Derby Prep Win September 15, 2023 Seize the Grey (Gary Johnson/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM) Kentucky Derby 2023 Iroquois Stakes Preview & FREE Picks | Seize The Grey Gives Lukas Shot At Derby Prep Win September 15, 2023 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Jared previews the 2023 Iroquois Stakes (G3) from Churchill Downs, then gives his top picks & long shots from this 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race. Seize the Grey gives his Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas a shot at winning this for the 1st time, but is he the top pick to win it all? Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section! SMASH the *Thumbs Up* ~ HIT *Subscribe* ~ RING the *Notification* bell The press release: The Road to Kentucky Derby 150 will begin Saturday at Churchill Downs where Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm’s impressive maiden special weight winner Risk It headlines a field of nine two-year-olds that entered the 42nd running of the $300,000 Iroquois S. (G3). The Iroquois is the first of 37 races on the traditional Road to the Kentucky Derby where horses will attempt to qualify for the 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) to be staged on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The Iroquois will award the top five finishers points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale as the first of 21 “Prep Season” races. Saturday’s Iroquois, which was shortened in distance in 2023 from 1 1/16 miles to one-mile, will be run as Race 9 with a post time of 4:55 p.m. (ET). The first of 11 races will get underway at 12:45 p.m. The spectacular card will also feature the $300,000 Pocahontas (G3), the kickoff on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Churchill Downs Full Card Plays Available Now There’s a reason we’re the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. Find Out Why Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will attempt to win his fourth-career Iroquois with Risk It and Edified. Risk It, a precocious two-year-old son of Gun Runner, dominated a six-furlong maiden special weight contest on Aug. 19 at Saratoga by 4 1/2 lengths under jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Risk It earned a solid 91 Brisnet Speed rating for his debut win. Gaffalione will be back aboard in the Iroquois from post 8. Asmussen’s second entry in the Iroquois, Courtlandt Farms’ Edified, broke his maiden on July 1 at Ellis Park by a widening 3 1/2 lengths at odds of 9-1. The runner-up, Liberal Arts, returned to break his maiden at Ellis Park, and he will once again face Edified in the Iroquois. Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. will have the mount on Edified from post 4. Asmussen previously won the Iroquois with Lucky Player (2014), Astrology (2010) and Capt. Candyman Can (2008). Another visually impressive maiden special weight winner that entered the Iroquois is Mellon Patch’s Patriot Spirit. Trained by Mike Campbell, Patriot Spirit powered clear to a six-length victory on debut at Colonial Downs. The son of Constitution arrived to Churchill early Monday morning in preparation for Saturday’s race. He’ll once again be ridden by veteran Jesus Castanon from post 9. 2023 Kentucky Derby Here is the complete field for the Iroquois from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Liberal Arts (Cristian Torres, Robert Medina) West Saratoga (Rafael Bejarano, Larry Demeritte) Union Roll (Gerardo Corrales, Todd Pletcher) Edified (Santana, Asmussen) Market Street (Gabe Saez, Lukas) Seize the Grey (Jaime Torres, Lukas) Gettysburg Address (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox) Risk It (Gaffalione, Asmussen) Patriot Spirit (Castanon, Campbell) The Iroquois Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Dirt Dozen” where the top three finishers will receive a partial credit towards their entry fees in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 3. Join the Inner Circle Sign up for exclusive 10% discount on orders, plus be the first to access our daily free and premium horse racing picks, articles, podcasts, and more! Sign Up
The Magic Mike Show 499: Remington Park Sunday Pick 5 Preview | Oklahoma Derby, Oaks Picks The Magic Mike Show guys preview the Late Pick 5… Read More
DWBS 159: NFL Week 3 PICKS and CFB Week 4 PICKS Aaron and Papa Dude are ready to roll with college… Read More
BLINKERS OFF 631: 2023 Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion Previews and Rapid-Fire Picks The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1,000,000… Read More
The Magic Mike Show 498: What We Learned | Woodbine, Breeders’ Cup, Churchill Downs, More! The Magic Mike Show guys review the weekend’s biggest stakes… Read More
BLINKERS OFF 630: What’s Wrong With Horse Racing? Roundtable Discussion & Fan Forum The Racing Dudes team hosted a roundtable discussion & fan… Read More
Top 5 Best Horses Right Now By Division 09/25/23: Saudi Crown, Next Win Big At Parx Welcome to our weekly rankings of the top 5 best… Read More
2023 Ack Ack Stakes Preview & FREE Picks | Three Technique Returns From Layoff At Churchill Aaron previews the 2023 Ack Ack Stakes (G3) from Churchill… Read More
2023 Pennsylvania Derby Replay & Analysis | Saudi Crown Wins Gate To Wire; Breeders’ Cup Next? Saudi Crown won the 2023 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx… Read More
2023 Cotillion Stakes Replay & Analysis | Ceiling Crusher Defeats Streaking Pretty Mischievous Ceiling Crusher won the 2023 Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx… Read More
2023 Woodbine Mile Replay & Analysis | Master Of The Seas Victorious In Breeders’ Cup Prep Master of The Seas won the 2023 Woodbine Mile (G1)… Read More