Grade 3, $200,000 Iroquois Stakes, one mile, Churchill Downs, Sept. 5, 2020 (10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Sittin On Go, by Brody’s Cause Trainer: Dale Romans Jockey: Corey Lanerie Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC Beyer Speed Figure: 84 In a clever bit of symmetry and marketing, the Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby began the same day that the Road to the 2020 Derby ended, with the Iroquois being held four races prior to this year’s postponed Derby. Here’s hoping this is a one-off, because otherwise that would mean the 2021 Derby is postponed, too, and wouldn’t we all like to put 2020 in the rear-view mirror ASAP? This year’s Iroquois was a one-turn mile, a distance at which I’m often dubious for future success if the winner is a late-running type, so I’m going to temper my enthusiasm for now regarding SITTIN ON GO, who rallied from ninth in a 10-horse field, benefitting from a hot pace (23.04 seconds, 45.64, and 1:10) to win going away. He utilized the same style when winning his lone prior start, against maidens going five furlongs on Aug. 16 at Ellis Park. There’s plenty of time to sort out this crop. We’ve only just begun on an eight-month (fingers crossed) journey. In this race, Sittin On Go bumped lightly with DROP ANCHOR leaving the gate, then lacked speed while racing toward the inside. He inched closer heading to the half-mile pole, but had to wait while in some traffic and got shuffled back. He was wheeled outside horses heading to the five-sixteenths pole, came into the lane about five paths wide, and then stormed down the center of the course to win going away. I did like the way he was able to switch off while in traffic and then produce a nice late kick. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more MIDNIGHT BOURBON, who finished second, was outrun in the initial strides and then was taken widest of all to advance down the backstretch. He wound up in a super spot heading into the far turn, third while outside the two leaders, then advanced to the front in upper stretch. He was no match for the winner in the final sixteenth, but clearly held second. A good, solid effort, but the fact the Steve Asmussen barn started him off at Ellis, and not with the first string at Saratoga, may indicate the regard in which he’s held. SUPER STOCK, who was third, stumbled leaving the gate but quickly got in gear and was second a furlong into the race. He was outrun a bit heading down the backstretch and went into the far turn in fifth, while between rivals. He was even with the winner in upper stretch, but couldn’t go with him, yet kept to his task and finished decently. He’s another Asmussen trainee, and most recently had been at Lone Star. THERIDEOFALIFETIME, who was fourth, was quickest away from the gate and set a sharp pace during the long run down the backstretch, while gradually angling over to get to the rail before the 4 1/2-furlong pole. He had a narrow lead entering the lane, couldn’t stay with Midnight Bourbon in upper stretch, then faded readily in the final furlong. This was his fourth race, and his first try beyond six furlongs, and did not give hope he wants anything beyond sprints. PICO D’ORO, who finished fifth, lacked speed in the opening strides but then moved sharply while angled toward the inside and advanced all the way to third, while following Therideofalifetime, three furlongs into the race. He hugged the rail all the way around the turn and through the lane, but never made any serious impact the final three furlongs. He probably needs softer company. NOTARY, who was sixth, started just outside Therideofalifetime and stayed on the pacesetter’s hip down the backstretch and into the far turn, but dropped back between Midnight Bourbon and Therideofalifetime soon after entering the stretch and retreated. ULTIMATE BADGER, who was seventh, broke well but dropped back while between rivals as the field moved out of the chute and onto the main part of the track. He was urged along as early as four furlongs from the wire, but never picked up his feet. CRAZY SHOT, who was eighth, was widest of all coming onto the main part of the course while outrun, dropped back to ninth six furlongs from the wire, raced about four paths wide while outside Ultimate Badger on the far turn, had no response when Sittin On Go roared past him a quarter-mile out, and never was a factor whatsoever. Drop Anchor, who was ninth, came out at the start and bumped into Sittin On Go, trailed early, went into the far turn in the three path, and never got involved. BELAFONTE, who finished last of 10, saved ground while following Pico d’Oro down the backstretch, began to yield three furlongs out, failed to change leads entering the lane, and was another in here who showed little.