Iroquois

A field of seven, including an uncoupled pair of juveniles trained by Nick
Zito, will line up for Saturday’s $100,000 Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs.
The one-turn, one-mile event has been won in the past by such useful horses as
Ide, Exploit and Harlan’s Holiday, and serves as a stepping stone to the 1
1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) on closing day.

Zito trained The Cliff’s Edge (Gulch) to an impressive 7 3/4-length victory
in last year’s edition of the Iroquois, but we’re going with STRAIGHT LINE
(Boundary) as our top choice.

Trained by Harvey Vanier, Straight Line secured a forward position along the
inside and then moved with Consolidator (Storm Cat) around the far turn before
diminishing slightly and finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at
Keeneland in his last start. Consolidator won the Breeders’ Futurity and then
returned to run a close fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Straight Line
is a seasoned graded stakes performer who should appreciate the turn back in
distance.

The Zito-trained HIGHGROVE (Forestry) and CHIEF COMMANDER (Deputy Commander)
both exit open-length victories going seven furlongs in mud at Keeneland on
October 15. The latter ran slightly faster, but they both have excellent early
speed and Pat Day returns for the third straight time aboard Highgrove while
Rafael Bejarano picks up the mount on Chief Commander. These two are hard to
separate, but we’re going to give a slight nod to Highgrove.

GREATER GOOD (Intidab) took advantage of a brutal early pace to close from
far back to win the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Cup Juvenile S. (G3) at Turfway Park.
The Robert Holthus trainee also turns back in distance but could go forth as an
underlay with the addition of eight pounds.

CAN’T TRICK JAKE (Mazel Trick) broke his maiden in near front-running fashion
in a fast time at Keeneland in his last start and has some upset possibilities.
SOCIAL PROBATION (Jules) finished fourth after a wide trip in the James C. Ellis
Juvenile S. and adds first-time Lasix. He could utilize an inside trip under
Calvin Borel. Consider. NORAINONTHISPARTY (Party Manners) finished third in both
the Kentucky Cup Juvenile and James C. Ellis Juvenile and can’t be totally
dismissed.