Road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby: Iroquois Stakes analysis

Grade 3, $300,000 Iroquois Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Churchill Downs, Sept. 18, 2021
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Major General, by Constitution
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Owner: WinStar Farm and Siena Farm
Beyer Speed Figure: 76

The 7 1/2-month journey to the Kentucky Derby commenced here, with the first points-scoring race toward May 7, 2022. Though it’s early, the figure for this race came up soft, with MAJOR GENERAL posting a number one point less than his debut win sprinting, though he did overcome a stumble at the start and wide trip and was making only his second start, and first around two turns. The most notable thing about the race might have been the no-show of STELLAR TAP, fifth as the favorite in his first start since becoming the record-setting winner for Steve Asmussen.

Major General, like Stellar Tap, had won his debut sprinting at Saratoga before heading to Churchill Downs and stretching out. Major General completed the task, holding off a late bid from TOUGH TO TAME.

In this race, Major General stumbled leaving the gate but was prominent into the first turn while four paths wide before dropping back to draft behind a four-horse duel for the lead. He remained outside down the backstretch, advanced heading into the far turn, was sent along in earnest three furlongs out while in the four path, came into the lane in the two path, put away Stellar Tap in midstretch after brushing with that rival, and just lasted.

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Tough to Tame, who finished second, eased out of a tight spot heading into the first turn and then saved ground while following the leaders while appearing to be rank. He still was pulling hard when turning up the backside, settled better nearing the far turn while caught in traffic, was able to angle out coming to the quarter pole to enter the lane three to four paths wide, then made steady progress to close the gap on the winner in the final furlong.

RED KNOBS, who was third, broke slowly and was in front of only one horse entering the first turn. He saved ground while under a snug hold, was inside initially on the far turn while in some traffic, angled out nearing the top of the lane and came into the stretch about five paths wide, had to move out to avoid the heels of Tough to Tame at midstretch, then made incremental progress in the final sixteenth.

BOURBON HEIST, who was fourth, lacked early speed and trailed into the first turn while being guided to the rail. He continued to trail to the far turn while drawing closer, was tipped out widest of all, to the six path, coming off the bend, then closed best of the late-runners before running out of steam in the final 50 yards. The race shape tended to favor late-runners.

Stellar Tap, who finished fifth, broke sharply and vied for the lead while in the three path entering the first turn. He remained just behind and just outside the two leaders down the backstretch, moved three wide to battle for the lead on the turn while just inside Major General, had a narrow lead in upper stretch, brushed a couple of times with the winner, and yielded in the final sixteenth.

GUNTOWN, who was sixth, raced greenly around the first turn while in front of only two rivals, advanced along the inside down the backstretch and into the far turn, but had little response when asked midway on the turn, angled to the three path coming off the bend, and never really punched it in.

STRIKE HARD, who was seventh, raced midpack while in the two to three path around the first turn, began to be outrun going to the far turn, was three paths wide on the turn and got fanned wider into the lane, did not change leads until well past the eighth pole, and never had any response at any point.

HUSBAND MATERIAL, who was eighth, was caught widest of a five-horse spread into the first turn, raced just inside Major General down the backside, came off the bridle despite being asked three furlongs out, and steadily retreated.

ROGER McQUEEN, who was ninth, was sent along to make the lead while nearest the rail, dueled with MAGNOLIA MIDNIGHT down the backstretch and into the far turn, but was engulfed midway on the turn and faded.

Magnolia Midnight, who finished last of 10, had keen speed and vied for the lead around the first turn while pulling hard, had a narrow advantage down the backstretch, battled for the lead early on the far turn, but like pace foe Roger McQueen was done midway on the turn and capitulated.