$150,000 Iroquois Stakes Pits La Verdad Against Willet

Favorite La Verdad (7/5) is taking a major class drop for trainer Linda Rice after competing admirably against grade 1 and grade 2 competition in each of her last three starts.  The four year-old daughter of Yes It’s True just missed becoming a grade 2 winner last out in the Gallant Bloom at Belmont.  La Verdad held a four length lead in the stretch, but was beaten a head by grade 1 winner Artemis Agrotera.  La Verdad is probably best-suited for six furlongs, but her class and early lick will make her a difficult foe for her Iroquois rivals. 

Willet will be coming strong late 

Willet (9/5) finished third in the Gallant Bloom after making a powerful closing move, and is the most likely challenger to La Verdad.  Willet, a six year-old daughter of Jump Start has three wins, two second, and two thirds in eight lifetime  starts at Belmont. Willet enters the race in good form having hit the board in each of her last five starts – including a third place finish in the grade 1 Ballerina two starts back. 

Risky Rachel's pace could make the race

Risky Rachel (6/1) has enough speed and ability to muddle the pace picture in the Iroquois.  Is she is sent from the gate aggressively by jockey Cornelio Velazquez, she could take away some of La Verdad’s starch and set the table for Willet’s closing move.