Meet the Contenders: 2024 Iroquois Stakes
Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Iroquois S. at Churchill Downs. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
First Resort wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#1 First Resort ***
Pro: One of the few here with stakes form, having finished second in Saratoga Special (G2).
Con: Likely to encounter a lot of other speed before leaving the chute.
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Giocoso wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Giocoso **
Pro: Cruised against maiden foes and is one of four in here by Iroquois-winning sire.
Con: Perhaps better on dirt than debut suggests but no getting around love of turf.
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#3 Jack’s Time **
Pro: Left debut foes in the dust, albeit against far lesser at Prairie Meadows.
Con: Iowa-bred will see a lot more speed while stretching out 2 1/2 furlongs.
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Authentic Strike wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Authentic Strike **
Pro: Alert from the gate and held on for debut win; sire won the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Con: Didn’t get much of a breather when scraping by at a short price; this will be tougher.
Owen Almighty wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 Owen Almighty ****
Pro: Has looked very strong in both starts as a heavy favorite; won Ellis Juvenile for fun.
Con: Like other fast types, must avoid getting cooked in a hot pace while stretching out.
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#6 Strummin *
Pro: Lone clunker was on the turf and finally broke through over this distance last time.
Con: Needed six starts to break his maiden, and it wasn’t a relatively quick effort either.
Sandman (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Chelsea Durand)
#7 Sandman ***
Pro: Disappointed in debut but lived up to earlier hype graduating second out.
Con: Viable candidate on paper but wonder whether two-turn might be better fit.
Magnitude wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 Magnitude **
Pro: Showed more zip from the gate when rebounding from career-opening loss.
Con: Will need to work out a trip as plenty of speed to his inside.
Firmus wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#9 Firmus **
Pro: Has posted lively works since debut score at Ellis; son of Curlin should like a mile.
Con: Obviously faces a stronger caliber of rival here; must quicken.
Jonathan's Way (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#10 Jonathan’s Way *****
Pro: One of the more dominant maiden winners at Saratoga; plenty fast, too.
Con: Main knock against is the likely price, which will be short in a big field.
Messero wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#11 Mesero **
Pro: Rallied well to take debut; barn has won this four times, including with this colt’s sire.
Con: Relished mud first out, but no guarantee he gets similar conditions here.
Politicallycorrect wins the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#12 Politicallycorrect ***
Pro: Dominated Bashford Manor S. after slow start; 2-for-2 locally.
Con: Wide draw hurts and not sure a mile best distance if he tries to show speed.
