BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,003.60

Mother Nature was at it again Thursday. Rain that battered Saratoga in the morning and early-afternoon hours forced all but one turf race to be run on the main track. This stuff happens, and obviously, we can’t control the weather, but I hate the way NYRA dealt with it.

Waiting until after the first race was run to make that decision made the third an “ALL” in the early Pick Five. This penalized players with strong opinions in that race, which is never a good thing (if you singled a horse, you got one payout, whereas if you hit the “ALL” button, you got paid several times). In addition, this came long after the scratch deadline, so most main-track-only horses entered in the event of a Saratoga monsoon (copyright Tom Amello, all rights reserved) didn’t get a chance to capitalize on an ideal situation.

We knew rain was coming. Why not get out in front of it, move races off the turf early, and make the best of a bad situation? I take no pleasure in bashing NYRA, and they do a lot of things right. Handling this in this fashion, though, made higher-ups look unprepared at best and Charlie Brown on a pitcher’s mound in the rain-level naive at worst.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: Triple Americano prevailed in the fifth, but longshot of the day Ravizzol dropped anchor after a quarter-mile. Scratches reduced our losses to $20.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: My lone bet of the entire day comes in the feature. I think #4 FIRST CAPTAIN is no cinch in the Curlin, and that #6 COLLABORATE will likely be an overlay. I’ll put $20 on him to win, and I hope we get that 6-1 morning line price.

TOTAL WAGERED: $20.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Repole entry, Race 2
Longshot: Little Red Button, Race 10

R1

Sugar and Speights
Free Ninety Nine
Laoban’s Legacy

#8 SUGAR AND SPEIGHTS: Recorded a flashy half-mile gate drill here on July 15th and drew a cushy outside post in her unveiling. Christophe Clement hits at a 23% clip with debuting runners, and first-call rider Joel Rosario will be aboard; #5 FREE NINETY NINE: Has been working consistently at Belmont, and her two most recent drills represent a significant step forward. Mike Maker’s off to a great start at the meet, and this one seems well-meant; #7 LAOBAN’S LEGACY: Sold for $150,000 earlier this year and may very well go favored, but I have reservations. Her work tab is just so-so, and while Jeremiah Englehart is a world-class horseman, he hasn’t gotten going yet at this stand. 2-1 seems like an underlay, and I’ll try to beat her.

R2

Repole entry
Chao
Blue Cat

REPOLE ENTRY: Both #1 RESTORED ORDER and #1A HYPERFOCUS are taking big class drops, and they loom large in this spot. I don’t see the class drops as a negative, as owner Mike Repole is very aggressive and wants to compete for owner’s titles every summer; #7 CHAO: Put forth a career-best effort last time out at Gulfstream Park, where he dispatched a field of optional claiming foes. These are deeper waters, but perhaps he’s finding his form midway through his 3-year-old season; #8 BLUE CAT: Responded to a class drop last time out with a narrow win at a similar level in Kentucky. This turned out to be a significantly tougher spot, but a repeat of his most recent effort could be enough for a piece of this.

R3

Advance Notice (MTO)
Kasim
Montauk Daddy

#4 KASIM: Was claimed by the red-hot Danny Gargan barn last time out and has lots of back form sprinting on turf. His dud last time out came over a wet main track, and if he rediscovers his early-season form for this new outfit, he’ll be the one to hold off late; #10 MONTAUK DADDY: Has stepped forward since being claimed by Rob Atras late last year. The far outside post can be a dicey proposition, but he sure looks like the main early speed here, and he could lead them a long way; #6 AHEAD OF PLAN: Owns a win at this route from last summer, albeit against maiden claiming foes. Based on figures, his best race could certainly win, but it sure didn’t seem like he had any excuses last time out at this level, and that’s a concern.

R4

Control Group
Sea Foam
Too Early

#6 CONTROL GROUP: Is an incredibly fun horse to root for and has won 17 of 47 lifetime starts. That includes four victories in seven starts over this surface and a solid last-out score at Belmont, and I think he’s a legitimate favorite; #2 SEA FOAM: Had every right to need his 2021 debut off of a layoff of more than five months. He’s another win-type that likes going two turns at Saratoga, and a return to form would give him a shot; #4 TOO EARLY: Has hit the board in each of his last seven outings and broke his maiden at this route of ground last summer. He comes in off of back-to-back 94 Beyer Speed Figures, and another such effort would put him right there in this stakes-caliber optional claiming event.

R5

Coach Bahe
The Big Kahuna
Litterbox

#10 COACH BAHE: Merits respect on a significant class drop for a barn that’s already saddled several winners at the meet. He was reasonably competitive in his last two outings for $50,000 tags, so it stands to reason he’ll move forward now that he’s in for half of that price; #11 THE BIG KAHUNA: Is a big favorite on the morning line, but I think much of that is due to the barn he comes from. His figures don’t dwarf those of the rest of the field, and while he does drop in class, the recent slow work over this track hits me as a big red flag; #3 LITTERBOX: Has a record that looks far better if you solely consider the dirt sprints. He was an OK second against similar last time out, and he stands to benefit if there’s a pace meltdown in this seven-furlong race.

R6

American Xperiment (MTO)
Castle Leoch
Fan the Fire

#9 CASTLE LEOCH: Gets a tepid nod in a wide-open turf sprint for 2-year-olds. He ran well when second in his unveiling back in May and has turned in a pair of strong works over the training track since shipping here earlier this month; #8 FAN THE FIRE: Has been working well for Maker, attracts Irad Ortiz, Jr., and owns a strong turf sprint pedigree. Sire Hard Spun is a strong grass influence, and his bottom-side pedigree includes top-class female sprinter/third dam Victory Ride; #5 PIQUA: Has plenty to suggest he’s got some potential. He sold for six figures at Keeneland last September, and his dam is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner and top Canadian sire Silent Name. I’m just not sure if he’ll need a race or two to get going.

R7

Winter Pool
Hombrazo
Top Gun Tommy

#6 WINTER POOL: Sure seemed to wake up when shipped to Churchill, and he’s run well in each of his last two starts. He just missed in his first start going two turns last time out, and his pedigree says he’s only going to get better with more experience and more distance; #2 HOMBRAZO: Responded to being claimed by Joe Sharp and the addition of blinkers with an easy score over claiming company last month. He’s shown plenty of two-turn form in the past, and the change in surroundings may have helped him put things together; #4 TOP GUN TOMMY: Has won or run second in each of his last four starts, and one of those runner-up finishes came to next-out Grade 1 winner Known Agenda. This is his second start off a layoff, and his tactical speed is certainly a plus.

R8

Claytnthelionheart (MTO)
Compliant
Mud Pie

#8 COMPLIANT: Gets a tepid nod in a turf marathon that hits me as extremely wide-open. Several of his opponents seem to want to go early. That could set things up for a closer, and this one has run well in three starts since stretching out to marathon distances; #3 MUD PIE: Goes second off the bench for patient connections and is another that could benefit from a speed duel. His lone win came going 12 furlongs at Kentucky Downs, and he should improve getting back to that type of route; #10 BOX N SCORE: Will need to navigate a trip from a far outside post, but he’s shown an ability to go a marathon distance in the past. Should he be able to save ground and get a pace to run at, he’ll have every chance to do some damage.

R9

Collaborate
First Captain
Beren

#6 COLLABORATE: Has been working lights-out ahead of his New York debut in the Curlin and looms an attractive alternative to the likely favorite. He was 9/2 in the Grade 1 Florida Derby earlier this season and may now have the maturity necessary to go two turns effectively; #4 FIRST CAPTAIN: Is 3-for-3 and exits a win in the Grade 3 Dwyer downstate. He was 2/5 that day, though, and it sure seemed like he worked far harder than anticipated. Maybe he’s good enough to beat these, but I can’t stomach taking him on top at such a short price; #5 BEREN: Has gotten very good very quickly and comes in having won five times in his last six outings. I’m not convinced he wants to go two turns, but if he stretches out effectively, he could be a handful for connections that must be respected when they show up in big spots.

R10

Lemon Taffy
Little Red Button
Killoean Rose

#15 LEMON TAFFY: Needs a lot of luck to draw in but may prove tough to beat if she does. Her two turf tries at this level have been solid, and against a largely-unproven group of state-bred maiden claimers, “solid” may well be enough; #9 LITTLE RED BUTTON: Is 0-for-10 but looks significantly better if you solely consider her route races. This seems like what she wants to do, and Jose Ortiz’s presence is certainly encouraging; #4 KILLOEAN ROSE: Makes her career debut in this spot and simply may not have to be much to make an impact. Add in that she’s bred up and down for distance and is a half-sister to five winners, and I think there’s reason to throw her in at anywhere close to her 15-1 morning line price.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,023.60

Steeplechase racing opens the door for things we don’t see often, and I’ve never seen anything like what happened in Wednesday’s Jonathan Kiser. The Mean Queen was the 1/2 favorite, and she looked home after hitting the stretch in front by open lengths. However, she veered in with less than a furlong to go, and in the process of correcting her course, jockey Tom Garner was dislodged.

Thankfully, Garner walked off and appeared to be okay as of this writing, and The Mean Queen also seemed no worse for wear. The connections involved have my sympathies, as do any bettors who needed The Mean Queen for any of their wagers. That’s an all-time bad beat, and a story those affected will be telling for a long, long time.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: As the tout in “Let It Ride” shouted ad nauseam, “had the daily double!” Bell’s the One was as good as advertised, and Jose Ortiz gave Caribbean Gold a terrific ride to steal the finale on the lead. Our $21 investment wound up returning $78.60.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on the fifth race of the day, a maiden claiming event with a big field. #1 TRIPLE AMERICANO is my tepid top pick, but I also think #6 RAVIZZOL is a must-use at or near his likely price. I’ll box those two in $5 exactas, and I’ll also use them to finish $2 doubles that start in the fourth with #6 VINEYARD SOUND and #9 HIGH HEATER. Finally, I’ll put $3 to win and place on Ravizzol to ensure that, if he wins, I make money (regardless of other outcomes).

TOTAL WAGERED: $24.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Gabby Squared, Race 10
Longshot: Ravizzol, Race 5

R1

Mo Heat
Johnnypump
Bourbon Rising

#7 MO HEAT: Sure looks like the main speed in the Thursday opener, and a repeat of his last-out effort would make him tough. In a field with many horses that don’t seem to want to pass others, his early zip is a real asset, and I think he can lead them all the way around; #4 JOHNNYPUMP: Goes two turns on dirt for the first time since January, and that effort wasn’t bad. He was a close-up fourth at Aqueduct, and that day’s winner came right back to win again, so perhaps he’s back to what he wants to do; #5 BOURBON RISING: Ran third in the race my top pick exits and should sit just off that one’s flank early. If there’s hesitation here, it’s because his lone two-turn dirt race was one of the weakest efforts of his career.

R2

Control Group (MTO)
Cold Hard Cash
Straw Into Gold

#1 COLD HARD CASH: Ran well twice against similar downstate and has enough speed to use the rail draw on the inner turf to his advantage. His best efforts have come going two turns, and this configuration should play to his strengths; #7 STRAW INTO GOLD: Drops back into a state-bred race after finishing third in the Manila at Belmont. He hasn’t run a bad one in four career starts, but his figures don’t dwarf those of his competition, and it’s sometimes tough for fairly-inexperienced 3-year-olds to run well against older competition; #2 MO FAITH: Is better than his last-out effort would indicate, and it’s safe to assume he didn’t take to the yielding going. His races prior to that one were pretty sharp, and the last-out clunker may drive up his price a bit.

R3

Shoe Shine (MTO)
Auburn Hills
Mystery Bank

#3 AUBURN HILLS: Hasn’t run a bad one since being claimed by Mike Maker earlier this year at Gulfstream. He was third against what was probably a better group last time out, and it looks like there’ll be enough pace to set up for his late kick; #2 MYSTERY BANK: Had every right to need his 2021 debut on Independence Day at Gulfstream and returns to the site of his maiden-breaking score last summer. His best race would likely be good enough here, but my one hesitation is that he may want even more ground; #10 RECKLESS SPIRIT: May have found the right level, as he was a decent second against similar company last month. He was wide that day and is another that will benefit from the likely race shape, which should include a solid pace.

R4

Vineyard Sound
High Heater
The Queens Jules

#6 VINEYARD SOUND: Has plenty of speed and exits a classy $20,000 claiming event where he checked in third. That day’s runner-up came back to win a few days ago, and these waters are probably a bit more shallow; #9 HIGH HEATER: Won for this claiming price twice earlier this year in Florida and was probably in a bit over his head in his last two outings. Luis Saez should have him on or near the lead, and the outside post should give horse and rider plenty of options; #8 THE QUEENS JULES: Ran third for a $32,000 tag last time out and, on paper, takes a drop here for aggressive connections. However, I don’t think that was a particularly strong heat for the level, and given that he’s won just once in his last 10 starts, I think he may be overbet.

R5

Triple Americano
Ravizzol
Shinjuku

#1 TRIPLE AMERICANO: Made a big move when third last time out and gets a tepid top pick in a wide-open maiden claiming event. It makes me nervous to pick a closer breaking from the rail, but he does have a bit more early speed than he showed that day and may be able to work out a trip; #6 RAVIZZOL: Faded in his debut downstate, but has worked well in upstate New York for a trainer whose charges tend to improve with experience. Saez haș been enticed to ride, and I’m expecting a move forward against a suspect field at a price; #7 SHINJUKU: Goes back to the dirt, cuts back in distance, and drops in for a tag, and any one of those moves could move him forward. If there’s hesitation here, it’s because I’m just not sure he wants to go quite this short (he hits me as a one-turn miler rather than a sprinter).

R6

Her World
Wonder entry
Empress Tigress

#5 HER WORLD: Has a bunch of things going for her ahead of her unveiling. She’s trained by 2-year-old maestro Wesley Ward, is by red-hot young sire Caravaggio, boasts a world-class female family, and has been showing precocity in the mornings; #1 THE CLUB: Debuted with a good second-place finish where she showed some maturity and made up ground late. That experience edge should help her, and she’s bred to get better as she goes along; #4 EMPRESS TIGRESS: Debuts for Jonathan Thomas and could be live at a nice number. She hammered for $410,000 at auction earlier this year, and her dam is kin to turf stakes winners Stays in Vegas and Miss Technicality.

R7

Identifier (MTO)
Abiding Star
Hieroglyphics

#1 ABIDING STAR: Is far, far better than he showed last time out, when he dueled through suicidal fractions and had nothing left late. He should not need to go nearly as fast early on here, and if he gets comfortable, I think he’ll be tough to run down; #3 HIEROGLYPHICS: Has won three of six starts over this turf course and four of his last six overall. He goes first off the claim for Dominick Schettino here and has back races that would make him a real handful; #9 TROUBLING MOON: Takes a drop in for a claiming tag, and that may be what he needs to wake up. He’s winless since late-2019, but strong turf rider Jose Lezcano rides and he should be moving in the right direction late.

R8

Brown entry
Regal Retort
Anna’s Fast

BROWN ENTRY: Both #1 SECONDARY MARKET and #1A MOTIVATED SELLER can win this race. They have graded stakes experience and possess every right to move forward from age three to age four. However, while I think their collective talent and strength in numbers is enough to put them on top, I’d urge you to demand more value than you’re likely to get; #6 REGAL RETORT: Did everything but win a classy optional claimer at Churchill last month, and among the runners she beat was Reagan’s Edge, who was entered in Wednesday’s Grade 2 Honorable Miss. She seems like she’s going the right way and could sit an ideal stalking trip here; #9 ANNA’S FAST: Has won two in a row and five of 11 lifetime, with three of the misfires coming against stakes foes. Rob Atras saw fit to claim her last time, and he’s hitting at a robust 32% clip with new acquisitions.

R9

Foolish Ghost
My Boy Tate
Wudda U Think Now

#7 FOOLISH GHOST: Has one way of going and could lead the John Morrissey field from gate to wire. His last-out win over open company at Monmouth was sharp, and the presence of Joel Rosario is noteworthy, as he likely had a few options in the Thursday feature; #3 MY BOY TATE: Ran third in this race last year and has not missed the board in four local starts. His last race at Parx is a throw-out given the wide trip and the very wet track, and his winning efforts two and three back came at this level; #5 WUDDA U THINK NOW: Ran fourth in a loaded allowance race earlier in the meet and may well see this race as a class drop. The horses he’s chased in his last two efforts are stakes-quality runners, and Irad Ortiz, Jr., sees fit to climb aboard.

R10

Gabby Squared
Wicked Happy
Hard Won

#8 GABBY SQUARED: Was left with too much to do last time out and could only manage a rally to third. The two-back race, though, has turned out to be a key one, as she chased a number of solid horses. Her two-turn efforts are some of the best of her career, and I think she’ll be formidable; #4 WICKED HAPPY: Has had plenty of chances, which is usually a red flag, but she makes her first start off the claim for a barn that connects with 20% of similar stock. Her last several efforts have been fine, and maybe the new connections will move her forward; #6 HARD WON: Found her form last fall when she was competitive in multiple tries at this level. She hasn’t run since October, and maybe she needs a race, but her best effort is certainly good enough for a piece of this.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $971

I can’t believe I’m using this space for this reason, but I feel compelled to say this: Be kind to those in the service industries.

Despite what many may want to think, the pandemic is not over. Supply chains are jumbled, and many people who were in low-paying positions have not returned to them. Because of that, those who have shown up to work are being forced to do more with less during what’s already an incredibly stressful time.

My mom, my sister, and my step-sister all worked in restaurants, so this is pretty close to my heart. If you go out to eat, be patient with people. Give them space, tip them well, and don’t blow your top over simple mistakes. An article in the San Francisco Chronicle said it best: Some people are just forgetting to be human. Don’t be like them.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: I had the right idea, as Royal Realm was indeed a bad morning line favorite in the opener, but I didn’t use Ashaar.  Because of that, my early doubles fizzled and I dropped $24.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on the third and seventh races of the day. #9 CAUMSETT looks like the lone speed in the third, and that’s dangerous over the inner turf. I’ll put $15 to win on her, and in the seventh, I’ll look to extract some value out of #7 KAELY’S SISTER. She’s on top of a cold $5 exacta that uses #4 THIEF OF HEARTS in second.

TOTAL WAGERED: $20.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Kaely’s Sister, Race 7
Longshot: Caumsett, Race 3

R1

Trade Secret
Tout Ensemble
Tap N Glo

#2 TRADE SECRET: Has run well in two prior starts at Churchill Downs and missed by just a head last time out. Her experience could give her an edge in the Sunday lid-lifter, and she’s shown enough early zip to suggest she’ll be on the engine early on; #4 TOUT ENSEMBLE: Debuts for Chad Brown and is bred to be a good one. She’s kin to three winners, and her female family includes the second dam of Grade 1 winner Archarcharch; #6 TAP N GLO: Ran in spurts in her debut at Ellis Park, when her final rally left her less than a length back of that day’s winner. Brad Cox is among the best in the game with second-out maidens, and her local workouts look pretty solid.

R2

Money in the Bank (MTO)
Veterans Beach
Panster

#5 VETERANS BEACH: Is probably in a “now or never” spot for this condition. He hasn’t won since the summer of 2018, but his usual race puts him right there and he could sit an ideal stalking trip behind several horses who seem to need to be on the lead; #11 PANSTER: Was last of nine early in what turned out to be a paceless race last month. He still salvaged a fourth-place finish that day, and there sure seems to be a lot of speed in this field; #6 LUNA’S IN CHARGE: Goes second off the layoff and returns to the turf, a surface I’m shocked he hasn’t tried since a good second at this level and route last summer. Tyler Gaffalione sees fit to ride, and he’s another that could benefit from the likely race shape.

R3

Caumsett
Marvelous Maude
Pop the Bubbly

#9 CAUMSETT: Has run well twice since coming off the bench and sure looks like the main speed in this race. Being the lone speed on the inner turf is often a very powerful quality, and I think she could get brave if left alone up top; #3 MARVELOUS MAUDE: Ran third in her debut downstate and gets the services of Irad Ortiz, Jr., here. Improvement is logical at second asking for a very powerful barn, and she’s a logical betting favorite; #7 POP THE BUBBLY: Isn’t just a hunch play and may be live at a price. Her lone prior turf effort at Aqueduct was a good one, as she rallied to be second despite rating off of a pretty slow pace. If she’s ready to run off the bench, she could be a threat to hit the board at a nice number.

R4

Dubb entry
Tale of the Union
Moonachie

DUBB ENTRY: #1 EXCELLENT TIMING tries older goes and looks like the main speed. He gets Lasix for the first time and tries non-stakes company for the first time since his 2-year-old season, and ultra-consistent stablemate #1A BRONX BOMBER isn’t without a chance, either; #2 TALE OF THE UNION: May have needed his 2021 debut, in which he hung a bit and settled for third. He’s been competitive at this level several times, and he’s got enough speed to be able to use the rail draw as an asset; #3 MOONACHIE: Is a hard-knocking sort that always seems to run the same race. He’s won here before, and he’s also been competitive against open company, which gives him some back class ahead of this state-bred event.

R5

Summer At the Spa
Herald Angel
Lime

#6 SUMMER AT THE SPA: Gets a tepid nod in a wide-open claimer for older turf distaffers. She drops back in for a tag after two tries against better horses in starter allowance races, and I think she’ll find these shallower waters more to her liking; #2 HERALD ANGEL: Cuts back in distance after tiring going seven furlongs downstate. She was a good second in her debut at this route last summer, and this is her first start in the claiming ranks; #10 LIME: Drops in class after running well to be second in a $40,000 optional claiming event at Woodbine. She’s shown she doesn’t necessarily need the lead to run well, and that could help her work out a trip given the tricky outside draw.

R6

Four Dawn
Gal in a Rush
Lemieux

#2 FOUR DAWN: Sure looks flashy heading into her debut for Brad Cox, whose barn is firing on all cylinders to start the meet. Her dam, Third Dawn, has thrown five runners to date. All five have won, and this one’s gate works hint that she’s got talent, too; #6 GAL IN A RUSH: Fetched $375,000 at auction earlier this year and has recorded several fast drills, which isn’t always typical of Christophe Clement-trained 2-year-olds. Joel Rosario sees fit to ride, and she’s another that could be well-meant; #3 LEMIEUX: Ran into next-out stakes winner Happy Soul in her debut but didn’t run badly to finish second. She sports a recent bullet over this track, is certainly eligible to improve, and may be an inflated price if there’s steam on some of the debutantes in this event.

R7

Kaely’s Sister
Thief of Hearts
Master of Hope

#7 KAELY’S SISTER: Is odds-on for a good reason, as it looks like she lays over this field. She’s shipped in after a win and a second in her first two starts on dirt, and in both of those races, she showed an abundance of early zip that should put her on the front end soon after the gates are sprung here; #4 THIEF OF HEARTS: Was ready off the long layoff and scored by more than four lengths in her first outing since October. She faces winners for the first time here, but that last-out effort was impressive and I see it as a sign of confidence that they didn’t risk her for a claiming tag for a second race in a row; #3 MASTER OF HOPE: Moved forward off the claim by Orlando Noda when second in a starter allowance event last month. She’ll do her best running late, and if a pace battle develops up front, she certainly figures to be one of the main beneficiaries.

R8

Winston’s Chance (MTO)
City Man
No Word

#9 CITY MAN: Found Grade 1 company too tough when he finished up the track in the Manhattan on Belmont Stakes Day, but his two-back effort in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy was quite good. He was a fairly close second that day while earning a 100 Beyer Speed Figure, and if he bounces back, he’ll have a big shot; #12 NO WORD: Had nowhere to go most of the way last time out (trust me, I needed him badly) and hasn’t been seen since. He’s been working steadily for Todd Pletcher and his best effort would put him right there, but the far outside post is a big concern; #4 VALUE ENGINEERING: Has never finished off the board in eight career starts but seems to have an aversion to winning. He’s only gotten up at the wire twice, and several of his losses have been pretty brutal if you’ve needed him. The connections merit respect, but I’ll try to beat him, especially if he comes down from the 9/2 morning line price.

R9

Dunbar Road
Royal Flag
Crystal Ball

#4 DUNBAR ROAD: Had every right to need the Grade 1 La Troienne, which was her first start since the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She chased Shedaresthedevil that day, and there are no such monsters here. She won the Grade 1 Alabama here two summers ago and looks poised to fire a big shot in the Grade 3 Shuvee; #7 ROYAL FLAG: Has never missed the board in nine lifetime outings and took a Grade 3 two starts back at Aqueduct. She was second in this race a season ago and once again figures to be a major player; #6 CRYSTAL BALL: Just missed in last year’s Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at this route and reeled off three straight wins to kick off her 2021 campaign. Those did come against weaker fields, though, and this event should serve as a strong acid test.

R10

Mubarmaj
Legit
Villainous

#8 MUBARMAJ: Dropped to this level last time out and responded with an easy score against an overmatched group. Several rivals he thumped that day come back for another try, but this Todd Pletcher trainee certainly looks like the one to beat; #5 LEGIT: Didn’t have a great start when chasing my top pick last time out and was claimed by George Weaver, whose new acquisitions tend to improve. He was second beaten less than a length at this route last summer, and he could be formidable if he gets a pace in front of him; #3 VILLAINOUS: Was aggressively spotted last time out and wound up being in over his head. He gets back to the correct level in this spot, and it’s worth noting both of his outings for this claiming price this season have led to second-place finishes.