BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $877.95

One of today’s stakes races is the Evan Shipman for older New York-breds. A few years ago, Diversify used this event as a springboard to the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, which he won in style for the late Rick Violette.

However, the race has been changed, and, in my opinion, not for the better. Instead of going 1 1/8 miles and starting and finishing in front of the grandstand, this field will go a mile out of the Wilson chute. On paper, there’s no reason to change this race, and the shorter distance doesn’t make it any more or less attractive.

To this point in the meet, the new chute hasn’t offended me as much as I thought it might. However, I’ve said all along that I can’t back anything which lessens two-turn dirt races at New York’s premier meet. This does that, and it does so in a way that bashes one over the head. Bad move, NYRA.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: Great logic, lousy results. I thought Mr. Connecticut was very beatable in the fifth and that On Palm Sunday may get loose on the lead. Both of those hunches were correct, but I couldn’t have ever given you the big-priced horse that got the money. I dropped $29.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: It’s entirely possible, maybe even likely, that I scratch out of most of my action. However, in the event #12 CHIARA runs in the ninth, I need to play her. I’ll have a $20 win bet, and I’ll box Chiara, #3 COOLCATSNKITTENS, and #5 ELI DANCER in $2 exactas.

TOTAL WAGERED: $32.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Ny Traffic, Race 3
Longshot: Chiara, Race 9

R1

Im Just Kiddin
Nice ’n Spicy
Kingsley Creek

#1 IM JUST KIDDIN: Ran well to be second in her debut earlier this summer and goes dirt-to-turf in the Friday opener. Her pedigree suggests she’ll love the lawn, and John Kimmel trainees often get better with experience, so she hits me as a formidable favorite; #4 NICE ’N SPICY: Debuts for Mike Maker and is kin to four winners. Her dam is a half to a pair of stakes winners, and offspring of Sharp Azteca have shown plenty of precocity, so there’s reason to believe she’s well-meant; #6 KINGSLEY CREEK: Flashed speed before fading to fifth in her unveiling downstate and, like the favorite, has every right to step forward for Kimmel. The weight break is a plus, and she figures to be prominent early at a bit of a price.

R2

Run Up the Score
Regina
Pout

#2 RUN UP THE SCORE: Drops in for a tag for the first time, and there are plenty of reasons to toss her last-out clunker at Ellis Park. It was in the slop, and she went very fast early on. I think she’ll appreciate the class drop and have every right to earn the diploma for trainer Chad Brown; #6 REGINA: Probably needed her last-out effort, which doubled as her first start in five months. She goes back to the dirt, attracts Jose Lezcano, and has shown she can run well at this one-mile distance; #3 POUT: Has been off more than nine months but showed a little talent as a 2-year-old, including a close-up second against similar at Churchill Downs. Nick Zito’s on an epic cold stream at the moment, but this one has races that fit and wouldn’t be a shock.

R3

Ny Traffic
Saint Selby
My Boy Tate

#6 NY TRAFFIC: Was last seen chasing Jackie’s Warrior in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt, and with all due respect to this classy bunch of state-breds, the opposition in the John Morrissey is a far cry from that. He’s 3-for-3 against New York-bred competition over the past few years and looms very large from his outside post; #1 SAINT SELBY: Comes in off of a pair of runaway wins downstate. He has enough early speed to make the rail draw an asset, and the presence of aggressive regular rider Kendrick Carmouche is a plus; #4 MY BOY TATE: Has never been worse than third in six local starts, one of which was a second-place finish in this race last year. He’s been off since a rare clunker in March, but the effort we’ve come to expect from him gives him a big chance to earn a piece of this.

R4

Latest Edition
Queen of Lies
Cupere

#1 LATEST EDITION: Adds Lasix and retains Javier Castellano for this wide-open maiden claiming event. She had a very eventful trip last time out at Belmont and was fourth behind a next-out winner. Castellano rides back for Morley, and those two have done a lot of damage to this point in the meet; #6 QUEEN OF LIES: Runs for a tag for the first time and attracts Joel Rosario, which is a major rider switch. Two turns is a question mark, but her pedigree says she may be able to get this trip; #2 CUPERE: Was fifth in the race my top pick exits and was last early on in that event, which didn’t have a fast early pace. There seems to be at least a little bit of zip signed on here, and the faster they go early, the better her chances figure to be.

R5

Khafre
I Am the Law
Commander Compton

#4 KHAFRE: Takes a big drop and returns to the dirt for what sure seems like a weak race for this level. He was second against allowance foes at Belmont in an off-the-turf race, and anything close to his best would make him tough to top; #3 I AM THE LAW: Broke his maiden two back and missed by just a neck in his first start against winners. Joel Rosario rides back for John Terranova, and at least this one seems to be going the right way, form-wise; #5 COMMANDER COMPTON: Dueled throughout to graduate last time out at Churchill Downs and faces winners for the first time. Again, this isn’t the best field for this level we’ll see all summer, and it certainly seems like they figured out he’s a speed horse last time.

R6

Mashnee Girl
Chasing Cara
Bank On Anna

#3 MASHNEE GIRL: Is a tepid top pick in a wide-open renewal of the Union Avenue. She cuts back from a route to a sprint after running third against open allowance foes. Kendrick Carmouche piloted her to a pair of wins earlier this season, and she could end a very long drought for trainer Mark Hennig; #7 CHASING CARA: Comes back to the state-bred ranks and romped two back in a race at this distance downstate. Javier Castellano rides for a small outfit, one that’s won twice already this season; #4 BANK ON ANNA: May have needed her last effort off a bit of a freshening, and that came against open company earlier this season. She won three of four before that two-month break, and she’s got back races that would make her a contender.

R7

Al Qahira
Bahamian Club
Gal in a Rush

#5 AL QAHIRA: Set the early pace in the Grade 3 Lake George last time out and takes a significant class drop. In doing so, she also gets Lasix, which isn’t allowed in graded stakes races. Add in that she may be getting better with experience, and I think she’ll be tough; #2 BAHAMIAN CLUB: Ran a clunker in her first outing since February last time out, but has every right to step forward here beneath new rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. She won her debut going two turns, which is far from easy to do; #3 GAL IN A RUSH: Has never crossed the wire first but always seems to fire. She was second in a stakes race at Woodbine last time out, and her pedigree says this two-turn route won’t be an issue.

R8

Bankit
Tiergan
Market Alert

#1 BANKIT: Headlines the Evan Shipman, which for reasons passing understanding has been moved to the Wilson chute. He was last seen running sixth of 16 in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile in Dubai, and he’s shown he’s capable of firing some big shots; #5 TIERGAN: Romped over optional claimers at this route less than two weeks ago and gets wheeled back quickly by new trainer Bill Morey. This operation excels with new acquisitions, and while this is a class hike, he fits on speed figures; #6 MARKET ALERT: Beat several of these rivals last time out in the Saginaw at Belmont. Two turns is a question mark, and he’s 0-for-3 at the Spa, but he’s running career-best races and can’t be ignored at a bit of a price.

R9

Chiara
Coolcatsnkittens
Eli Dancer

#12 CHIARA: May be a big price but fits here and could light up the tote board. She’s been competitive in each of her last two outings and would retain Luis Saez if she draws in off of the also-eligible list. If she’s allowed to run, I think she’s a must-use; #3 COOLCATSNKITTENS: Comes back to the maiden claiming ranks after misfiring against maiden special weight foes at Belmont. Her two-back effort was a career-best, but it’s a bit alarming she’s worked just once since that June 26th clunker; #5 ELI DANCER: Tries turf for the first time and adds Lasix for a barn hitting at a 23% clip this calendar year. They tried to get her on the grass for her debut, which was washed out and moved to the main track, and her recent four-furlong turf drill was a very good one.

R10

Gallina (MTO)
Whatlovelookslike
Lookin to Fly

#8 WHATLOVELOOKSLIKE: Has improved in every start for Todd Pletcher and broke her maiden last time out. She did so in a pretty fast clocking, too, and Flavien Prat seeing fit to ride back is a big, big plus; #1 LOOKIN TO FLY: Has two wins and a third over this turf course, including a last-out win over weaker foes in her 2022 debut. She’s protected here and could come rolling late if there’s a lively pace up front; #4 SINFULLY SWEET: Graduated last time out in a turf sprint and tries both winners and two turns for the first time. Her pedigree says that won’t be an issue, and the progression she’s made as a 4-year-old is encouraging.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $906.95

Stewards are often put in no-win situations. Any decision they make is going to offend someone watching the race who disagrees with them, even ones that seem obvious to neutral observers.

However, we’re starting to see riding that goes beyond “aggressive” and into “reckless,” and it’s not getting penalized. It seems like horses are getting herded, bumped, cut off, and forced to alter course in dramatic fashion at least once a day. Sometimes, that’s non-malicious, bad racing luck (like what happened in Wednesday’s seventh race, where Dylan Davis’s horse was simply in the wrong spot at the wrong time and caused Eric Cancel and his mount to fall). Other times, it’s stuff that shouldn’t have a place in the game.

I’ll add my voice to a growing chorus: If this doesn’t change, riders and horses alike are at risk of getting hurt. Some contact is bound to happen, as is aggressive race-riding. Recklessness, however, has no place at any level of the sport, especially the highest one.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Skylander gave me some hope turning for home in the fifth but, unfortunately, flattened out. I dropped $24 after scratches.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: I’ll once again focus on the fifth race of the day. #9 ON PALM SUNDAY is my longshot of the day in the pick box, as I think he’s this race’s lone true early speed. In addition to a $15 win bet, I’ll key him in $2 exactas above and below #7 SENSE A GIANT and #10 MR. CONNECTICUT, and I’ll single him in $3 doubles starting in the fifth that end with #4 CURLY LARRY AND MO and #6 DONEGAL SURGES in the sixth.

TOTAL WAGERED: $29.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Empress Tigress, Race 9
Longshot: On Palm Sunday, Race 5

R1

Patrick the Great
Catching Cupid
Salt Cay

#4 PATRICK THE GREAT: Just missed last time out in a similar spot downstate and was nearly six lengths clear of that day’s third-place finisher. Irad Ortiz, Jr., sees fit to ride back for the new connections, which is certainly a plus; #6 CATCHING CUPID: Adds blinkers after running third in his first try against maiden claimers earlier this summer. This is the third start of his form cycle after a long layoff, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s sitting on a career-best effort; #5 SALT CAY: Will likely take plenty of betting money because of trainer Chad Brown, but I have my doubts. It seems like they were salivating to get him on turf after a pair of off-the-turf races last season, but he was 10th as an 8/5 favorite last time out and now gets dropped down the ladder. At his price, I’ll try to beat him.

R2

Invaluable (MTO)
Angelinka
Violent Point

#2 ANGELINKA: Runs for a tag for the first time and seems to have found a very weak field for the level. Neither stateside start is inspiring, but she’s got some back class from her time in Europe and has been chasing much, much better horses here; #4 VIOLENT POINT: Broke through to win for the first time in a while last time out and comes back to the turf. I’m not sure what she beat that day, but she earned an 81 Beyer Speed Figure in doing so, and she’d be competitive if she can repeat that performance; #5 BAY JEWEL: Hasn’t won since May of 2021 but goes first off the claim for a barn that doesn’t sport bad numbers with new acquisitions. The jump up in class hints at some confidence, and the two races she ran at this route last year against allowance foes weren’t terrible.

R3

Dame Cinco
Preposterous
Belarus

#5 DAME CINCO: Ran well when second for a slightly higher tag at Keeneland in April. He’s shown he likes this one-mile distance, and Luis Saez rides back when he likely had a few options in this event out of the Wilson chute; #2 PREPOSTEROUS: Goes first off the claim for Antonio Arriaga, who’s already found the winner’s circle a few times with his small string of runners. She was second last time out behind a major class-dropper, and she won going a mile last fall at Belmont; #1 BELARUS: Tries winners for the first time after breaking through downstate in June. I don’t think she beat a ton that day, but her form looks considerably better if you assume she just doesn’t like the Aqueduct surface she floundered over twice during the winter. 

R4

Nicky the Vest (MTO)
Barrage
Ruse

#2 BARRAGE: Ran well to finish second behind a “horse for the course” last time out in a similar spot, one that featured a bunch of horses that show up here. He seems to have moved forward in his 4-year-old campaign, and he’s a very logical favorite given this closer-friendly race shape; #3 RUSE: Is 0-for-4 this season, but did the best work of his career here last summer, when he won twice in three local starts. Of the probable pace-setters, he’s the one the hits me as the most likely winner; #7 STRAW INTO GOLD: Figures to benefit from a lively pace and retains Joel Rosario for Christophe Clement. That tag team merits respect, but it’s worth wondering if he prefers the downstate tracks given his 0-for-3 record at the Spa.

R5

On Palm Sunday
Sense a Giant
Mr. Connecticut

#9 ON PALM SUNDAY: Certainly looks like the main speed in a race largely devoid of early zip. He comes back to his preferred surface after his local debut was washed off the turf, and I think he could get very comfortable and prove tough to catch at a big of a price; #7 SENSE A GIANT: Drops in for a tag at second asking and adds blinkers following a one-paced debut at Belmont. It’s not easy to make a first start going a route of ground, so improvement could certainly be in the cards; #10 MR. CONNECTICUT: Runs for a tag after finishing third earlier this summer, but the race he exits has not aged well. The second and fourth-place finishers both came back to run poorly over the weekend, the far outside post doesn’t help, and I just prefer others (especially at this one’s likely short price).

R6

Curly Larry and Mo
Donegal Surges
Impressor

#4 CURLY LARRY AND MO: Ran well to be second in his debut earlier at this stand and has every right to move forward at second asking. This barn’s numbers with second-out maidens are strong, and his experience edge over this entire field isn’t a small asset; #6 DONEGAL SURGES: Sold for $150,000 last year at Keeneland and debuts for Todd Pletcher. The most recent drill is impressive, as is his pedigree, but it’s worth wondering why he was worked twice on turf after a string of so-so drills earlier this summer; #8 IMPRESSOR: Sold for $335,000 earlier this year despite a modest pedigree and has every right to be a runner. If there’s hesitation here, it’s because Steve Asmussen trainees often need a race to get going, but it wouldn’t surprise me if this one went favored and he’s not without a shot.

R7

Winter Pool
Kershaw
Claytnthelionheart

#8 WINTER POOL: Ran well here twice last summer in a pair of races at this route. He’s been off since being claimed by Norm Casse in June, but an impressive series of drills ahead of a return to his favorite track has me encouraged; #4 KERSHAW: Was second in the very first race of the meet, one that fell apart due to a very fast pace for the level. He was probably a bit too close to it, but has every right to improve here in his first start for a barn that hits with 29% of runners first off the claim; #6 CLAYTNTHELIONHEART: Has cracked the exacta in five of six local starts and was third last time out in a pretty strong race for the level. He’s a pretty versatile runner, one that could give Julien Leparoux plenty of options early on in this two-turn event.

R8

Bella Principessa
H. T. Xena
Echo Foxtrot

#5 BELLA PRINCIPESSA: Is a tepid top pick in a wide-open starter allowance race for older fillies and mares. She’s spent time on the turf of late, but ran well on dirt downstate earlier this season and has won at this tricky seven-furlong distance; #2 H. T. XENA: Cuts back from a mile in her first start for new trainer Matt Shirer, who protects her from being claimed in this spot. She romped going seven furlongs at Keeneland this past spring and may be figuring things out in her 4-year-old campaign; #1 ECHO FOXTROT: Is 2-for-2 after a pair of victories on the Mid-Atlantic circuit and ships up for a barn that must be respected. This is a pretty significant class test, but it does help her cause that the last-out runner-up has since come back to win.

R9

Empress Tigress
Makin My Move
Breeze Easy

#7 EMPRESS TIGRESS: Has done nothing wrong to this point and handled a major class hike with aplomb to win the Coronation Cup last month. The Galway is a logical next step, and many runners she beat last time out will try her again here; #8 MAKIN MY MOVE: Has won two in a row since being switched to the turf and would benefit from a pace meltdown. One of those wins came at this route of ground, and when this barn gets horses on the right track, they tend to stay there; #6 BREEZE EASY: Cuts back after two stakes placings going longer downstate. She came over here after starting her career in Europe, where she placed in several stakes races going short against decent runners.

R10

Jocosity
Lem Me Drink
Succulent

#9 JOCOSITY: Was one-paced in her debut, which turned out to be a pretty fast race for the level. Bill Mott trainees usually move forward with experience, and I’m expecting progression here in the Thursday finale; #2 LEM ME DRINK: Showed some late interest in his debut going shorter and stretches out to a route of ground. There’s stamina in his pedigree, so the distance shouldn’t be a problem, and Javier Castellano is making the most of every mount so far this summer; #11 SUCCULENT: Rallied late to be fourth in the same race my top pick exits and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure in doing so. The faster they go early on, the better this one’s chances figure to be.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $930.95

Josh Rodriguez from “On The Wrong Lead,” a show I’ve done some work for in the past, posed an interesting question Monday. He was second-guessing his wagering strategy from Saturday, when he missed out on a gigantic Pick Five score despite leaning on Lure winner Dynadrive, and he ended his post asking about how to maximize value on a strong opinion.

It’s an interesting question, and I personally think Josh did almost everything right. When you play Pick Fives, it’s a process-based game, and if your processes are correct, you’ll put yourself in position to connect with big scores. In this particular instance, he has 98% of the sequence pegged before both runners he used in the Grade 1 Test got run down.

That’s the hard part about this game. You can be right about almost everything and still lose. The allure of solving that puzzle and seeing that final piece click into place, though, is a big reason why we all keep coming back!

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: I was nowhere close in this section. A scratch did reduce my losses to $22, but that was as good as it got.

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: The fifth hits me as one of the better betting races on the program. I’ll lean on #10 SKYLANDER, who I’ll use in $5 exactas above #5 TONAL IMPACT and #9 INFLATION ADJUSTED and $2 exactas below those runners. I’ll also single Skylander in $5 doubles that end with #7 SECURITY CODE, #8 MAPLE LEAF MEL, and #11 IM JUST KIDDIN in the sixth.

TOTAL WAGERED: $29.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Southern District, Race 8
Longshot: Tiz a Giant, Race 10

R1

Baltimore Kid
Grey Giant
Hurtgen Forest

#5 BALTIMORE KID: Looked like a very strong steeplechase prospect when he won his debut, and I’m willing to draw a line through his last-out effort. The top rider on this circuit sees fit to ride back, and if he can forgive that second-out clunker, so can I; #3 GREY GIANT: Finished third in a similar spot earlier this season and gets a few pounds from each of his rivals in this event. The faster they go early on, the better this one’s chances figure to be; #2 HURTGEN FOREST: Wired a field of maidens last month at Colonial Downs and tries winners for the first time. He certainly looks like the main speed in the Wednesday opener, and his preferred trip would make him the one to catch when the real running starts.

R2

Offutt Cole
Drink the Wind
Kobe’s Legacy

#3 OFFUTT COLE: Chased a much-the-best winner earlier this meet and comes back at this level. While the victor was nearly nine lengths clear, it’s worth noting this one was almost 10 clear of the third-place finisher, so it’s not like he ran poorly; #5 DRINK THE WIND: Takes a big drop in class for this event after starting his career in four straight maiden special weight races. The question is, will the class drop alone be enough when he hasn’t shown much in the way of stamina?; #2 KOBE’S LEGACY: Has some ground to make up on speed figures but seems like one of only a few closers in a race otherwise full of early speed. The race shape could give him a chance to clunk up for a piece of it at a nice price.

R3

General Banker
Makar
King of Comedy

#3 GENERAL BANKER: Was second at a big price in his debut and has every right to improve off of that performance here. Unlike several of his rivals, we know this one can run on the lawn, and he may not have to move forward much at all in order to beat these; #9 MAKAR: Was one-paced in his debut downstate but has worked well since that event. The outside draw isn’t ideal, but Irad Ortiz, Jr., has been enticed to ride when it’s logical to think he had some options; #8 KING OF COMEDY: Has every right to be a strong turf runner given the presence of sire Oscar Performance. This barn’s first-out numbers are just so-so, but there’s plenty of precocity on the bottom of this one’s pedigree, so perhaps he’s ready to run right away.

R4

Mexican Wonder Boy
Kinetic Sky
Prime Factor

#3 MEXICAN WONDER BOY: Tried turf first off the claim last time out, and that didn’t work out so well. He goes back to his preferred surface, and he sure looks like the speed of the speed. A repeat of his two-back effort downstate would make him very tough; #6 KINETIC SKY: Hasn’t won in more than a year and, in fact, makes his 2022 debut in this spot. However, he may be the lone closer in a race with plenty of zip inside of him. If he’s ready off the bench, he’s got a big chance; #4 PRIME FACTOR: Faded to seventh last time out, but that field he faced that day was probably a better one than this bunch. He’s inconsistent, but his best race gives him a chance, and the recent four-furlong bullet drill inspires some confidence.

R5

Skylander
Inflation Adjusted
Tonal Impact

#10 SKYLANDER: Comes back to the grass and takes a big drop in class after chasing Keepmeinmind on the dirt a few weeks ago. This is clearly the weakest field he’s tackled since breaking his maiden, and I think he’ll appreciate the shallower waters; #9 INFLATION ADJUSTED: May have needed his 2022 debut last month at Monmouth, when he flopped against allowance goes. He adds blinkers second off the bench for Chad Brown, and he’s got every right to move forward now that he’s got the tightener under his belt; #5 TONAL IMPACT: Didn’t get a lot of pace to run at last time, when he was eighth in a tough race for the level. I expect things to be a bit more lively up front, and Maker giving him another shot against these types hints at some confidence.

R6

Maple Leaf Mel
Im Just Kiddin
Security Code

#8 MAPLE LEAF MEL: Hammered for $150,000 earlier this year despite a pretty modest pedigree, and she’s been working like a very good horse ahead of her unveiling. The recent bullet drills imply she’s got a lot of potential, and Joel Rosario landing here backs that up, too; #11 IM JUST KIDDIN: Was beaten just a length in her debut earlier this summer for a barn whose first-time starters often need those efforts. She needs a scratch to draw in off the also-eligible list, but she can’t be ignored if that happens; #7 SECURITY CODE: Makes her debut for Phil Serpe, who isn’t known for first-out success but is 3-for-8 so far this season. Her dam was Grade 3-placed as a 2-year-old, so there’s some precocity in her pedigree, and the last two workouts seem to indicate she’s revving up for this fun-looking baby race.

R7

King Moonracer
Just Say When
Rice entry

#6 KING MOONRACER: Was forced to rally extremely wide last time out and, naturally, flattened out after flying into contention turning for home. Javier Castellano rides back for George Weaver, and I expect significant improvement provided he’s able to save any ground at all; #2 JUST SAY WHEN: Has never been out of the exacta in four career starts and has enough speed to turn the inside draw into an advantage. He just missed last time out in the same race my top pick exits, and he’ll likely be prominent right from the jump; #1 VOCALIZE: Is protected in his first start for new trainer Linda Rice and didn’t have a great trip last time out. That day’s rider sees fit to ride back, which should help, and he figures to be moving the right way late.

R8

Southern District
Mr Phil
Isolate

#3 SOUTHERN DISTRICT: Seems the most likely to benefit from the probable race shape of the Tale of the Cat. He’s won three in a row, all in late-running fashion, and he should have plenty of pace to chase beneath regular rider Manny Franco; #5 MR PHIL: Won three in a row before locking horns with Jackie’s Warrior in the Grade 2 True North. Predictably, that didn’t end well, but this spot should be far more suitable for him, and the outside draw seems like a big plus; #1 ISOLATE: Has won three of his last four, including a minor stakes race at Hawthorne. He posted a bullet drill here not long ago, and it seems likely he’ll be gunned to the front by jockey Tyler Gaffalione out of the gate.

R9

Blitz to Win (MTO)
Frank’s Art
Front Line Dancer

#5 FRANK’S ART: Rallied from last to first to win his debut downstate, and you don’t see many horses do that at first asking. I’m not sure what he beat that day, but he looked very good doing it, and his pedigree says the added distance he gets here shouldn’t be an issue; #8 FRONT LINE DANCER: Didn’t get much pace to run at here last month, but still ran well to be second behind a talented filly that day. Irad Ortiz, Jr., rides back for Todd Pletcher, and she’s lightly-raced enough to where further improvement wouldn’t be shocking; #3 WAR TERMINATOR: Hasn’t raced since December and has never gone two turns, but there’s reason to believe he’ll be ready to fire here. Luis Saez sees fit to ride for a high-percentage barn, and his mount will run as a first-time gelding here in his 2022 debut.

R10

Running Bee
Tiz a Giant
Most Wanted Man

#7 RUNNING BEE: Settled for second behind a much-the-best winner last time out, and that day’s third-place finisher has since come back to win. Everything about his pedigree says the added distance this race presents will be right up his street; #2 TIZ A GIANT: Ran well to be second at a big price earlier this summer and attracts John Velazquez for his second start of the meet. He’s improved on speed figures with each of his most recent starts, and he may be a square price once again in the Wednesday finale; #8 MOST WANTED MAN: Rallied to finish third last time out at Belmont Park and gets Irad Ortiz, Jr., for his second start off the bench. He’s eligible to improve and certainly bred to be any kind, but it doesn’t help his cause that that day’s winner came back to run poorly earlier this summer.