Tipsheet: 2024 Iroquois Stakes

A dozen three-year-olds will jaunt one mile on the Churchill Downs main strip in Saturday’s $300,000 Iroquois S. (G3). 

Iroquois Stakes Picks

• #7 Sandman
• #10 Jonathan’s Way
• #11 Mesero
• #3 Jack’s Time

Iroquois Stakes Wagers

• $15 win and place #7 Sandman
• $5 exacta key box 7 with 3,10,11
• 50-cent superfecta 7,10 with 7,10 with 3,11 with all

Iroquois Stakes Contenders

#1 FIRST RESORT – Godolphin homebred was a smart debut winner prior to checking in second in the Saratoga Special (G2) in his second appearance. Speedy son of Uncle Mo will be dangerous if he clears early from the rail under Rafael Bejarano. 

#2 GIOCOSO – Not This Time juvenile was a smart winner on the Ellis Park lawn last time and will transfer to the dirt on this day. Keith Desormeaux trainee didn’t flourish in his lone prior run on the main oval and would be a surprise against this cast. 

#3 JACK’S TIME – Kelly Von Hemel charge dominated lesser foes in a 5 1/2-furlong heat at Prairie Meadows on debut, but the colt did it the right way and intrigues me in the race. The swift Iowa-bred picks up Brian Hernandez Jr. 

#4 AUTHENTIC STRIKE – Authentic colt was game in taking a seven-furlong dash at Ellis Park at first asking and could evolve into a good one going forward. The Rodolphe Brisset pupil overcame a tardy break on the occasion, and he will be in the hunt early with a smooth break on Saturday. Luis Saez retains the ride. 

#5 OWEN ALMIGHTY – Brian Lynch trainee has been a daylight winner in both career outings to date, led by a score in the Juvenile S. at Ellis Park in his second appearance. Kentucky-bred son of Speightstown is bred to get the one-turn mile, and he’s not impossible with a step forward beneath Irad Ortiz Jr. 

#6 STRUMMIN – John Hancock trainee ran his best race to date when rallying to a maiden win at Ellis most recently, but the colt will need even better in here and others are more appealing to me. 

#7 SANDMAN – $1.2 million Tapit colt was visually impressive in his win at Saratoga on Aug. 10 and gets top billing in the well-matched field. The gray colt is cut out to run long and will appreciate the added ground on Saturday with Jose Ortiz in the irons. He will be tracking the pace early before moving into contention approaching the turn for home.  

#8 MAGNITUDE – Steve Asmussen pupil showed marked improvement second time out when leading at every call en route to a nice win at Ellis. The $450,000 yearling purchase will have no trouble with the distance, and he figures to be involved early on with Tyler Gaffalione in the stirrups. 

#9 FIRMUS – Coffeepot Stables homebred was professional in his unveiling at Ellis Park when graduating well and could be a nice prospect with improvement going forward. Wayne Catalano trainee shows a pair of nice morning drills on the oval in the interim, and the son of Curlin could be in range at the top of the lane with Ricardo Santana Jr. on board. 

#10 JONATHAN’S WAY – Vekoma colt was a fantastic debut winner at Saratoga and will be a major threat in the race with even slight improvement for conditioner Phil Bauer. The $290,000 weanling purchase earned a hefty 97 Brisnet Late Pace figure in his tally and will likely thrive on the move to one mile in this one. Joel Rosario stays in the silks atop the exciting prospect. 

#11 MESERO – Dale Romans pupil broke slowest of all in his first attempt, but the son of Not This Time closed best of all in a sharp debut score. The gray did his best work late when going six furlongs, and the colt might be even better with the added ground with which to work with on Saturday. Corey Lanerie has the assignment. 

#12 POLITICALLYCORRECT – Bashford Manor S. victor suffered his first setback when runner-up in the Juvenile S. at Ellis Park most recently. Christopher Davis pupil looks like more of a sprinter type to me and also got a tough draw on the outside of the field, so I will omit the talented colt in this particular spot.