Meet the Contenders: 2024 Iroquois Stakes

September 12th, 2024

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

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.


 

Giocoso wins at Ellis Park

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.


 


 

TwinSpires logo

TwinSpires

#3 Jackโ€™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.


 


 

Authentic Strike wins at Ellis Park

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: Didnโ€™t get much of a breather when scraping by at a short price; this will be tougher.


 


 

Owen Almighty wins at Ellis Park

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.

 


 


 

TwinSpires logo

#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 wasnโ€™t a relatively quick effort either.


 


 

Sandman

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

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

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

Jonathan's Way (Photo by Coglianese Photography)

#10 Jonathanโ€™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

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 coltโ€™s sire.

Con: Relished mud first out, but no guarantee he gets similar conditions here.


 


 

Politicallycorrect wins the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs

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.