- Network Effect- Ortiz Jr./ Brown
- Network Effect for Chad Brown seems to be very consistent and should fit in this spot. Irad keeps the mount and should be sitting close to the pace setters, and Irad should be comfortable aboard him. He just lost to Vekoma in the Carter and seems to like the flat mile. I think he might be outclassed but he has a shot with these connections.
- Vekoma- Castellano/ Weaver
- Vekoma is coming into this race on a very strong streak. Back to back 100+ beyers and a win in the Carter which was pretty strong. I think he is better at 7F but the mile should be in his range. Javier needs to sit him right off the pace and make one run which I can see happening. Must be used today.
- McKinzie- Smith/ Baffert
- I am a fan of McKinzie but I don’t like him necessarily in this spot. Mike Smith ships east today for him and he has been consistent on him. He has one second at Belmont which was in the Met Mile last year. Mitole won that race and McKinzie just missed and came back against easier today. I think if he gets the trip he can win today and Mike Smith doesn’t ship for nothing.
- Hog Creek Hustle- Ortiz/ Foley
- I am not a fan of Hog Creek hustle today at all. I think the positive on him is that Jose Ortiz gets aboard today. He has a win at Belmont which was in the Woody Stephens last year. He is a one run closer these days and would need a pace collapse in order to pick the pieces up.
- Code of Honor- Velazquez/ McGuaghey III
- I am all over Code of Honor today. I think a one turn mile hits him right between the eyes. John Velazquez knows this horse better than anyone. He won impressively in the Worchester back in early June and earned a 101 beyer. I think the cut back also helps and he should be more fit 2nd off the layoff.
- Endorsed- Rosario/ Mott
- Endorsed is another entry here that interests me. Rosario will be closing on him and he just got caught by Code of Honor last time out and ran 2nd. I think he is just outclassed in this spot and this field is very deep for his standards. I think Rosario will be the key factor for him today and if Rosario gives him the right trip he could win.
- Mr Freeze- Franco/ Romans
- Mr Freeze is a horse that is in every big race for older horses going long. Manny Franco gets the mount back after Joe Talamo rode him in the Oaklawn Handicap where he finished 3rd. He should be sending with Franco but might sit off of Warrior’s Charge and try to make one run. He also seems to not like a one turn mile usually.
- Warrior’s Charge- Geroux/ Cox
- Warrior’s Charge should get the lead early. Geroux has gotten this horse to the winner’s circle in the Razorback and almost went gate to wire in the Preakness. I think the flat mile should be beneficial but he has a lot to beat here. If he goes gate to wire he can win but he will need to hold off some of the best older horses to date.
TOP PICKS:
#5 Code of Honor
#8 Warrior’s Charge
#3 McKinzie