- No Parole- Saez/Amoss
- I am a big No Parole fan and have been since her dominating win at Delta Downs. He is a sprinting specialist and a quick one at that. He prefers smaller fields. He is a one turn colt and gets that today. Luis Saez is also a jockey upgrade here as Joe Talamo does not ship to NY today. The main question is whether or not he can get the lead like he needs.
- Meru- Ortiz Jr./ Duarte Jr.
- Meru gets Irad Ortiz today for the first time. He has been pretty solid in 4 starts with only one stake win to his name. However, he did run 2nd to Independence Hall in the Grade 2 Nashua. Could sit the trip today with a lot of speed lined up early on. Irad should be able to get him comfortable today and Meru should be more fit for this race now that he is second off the bench.
- Mischievous Alex/ Carmouche/ Servis
- Mischievous Alex is fresh off of a Grade 3 victory in the Gotham. He won the Swale before that as well at 7F. I think this horse is a 7F specialist and actually will run better on the slight cut back from a Mile. I think if Kendrick can sit 2nd on the backstretch then Mischievous Alex has a real strong chance to go by and win down the stretch.
- Echo Town- Santana Jr./ Asmussen
- Echo Town seems like he is the one to beat to the public but to me all I see is that he hasn’t beaten stakes company yet. He should be on the lead or sitting extremely close to it. Another question is if he wants the 7F distance. To me, he might only be a 6F sprint type of horse. Will be using but not on top.
- Shoplifted- Ortiz/ Asmussen
- I am not a fan of Shoplifted at all today in this spot. I think shoplifted is a good horse but not this type of good. He would need a big step up in order to win here. Will be looking elsewhere.
TOP PICKS
#3 Mischievous Alex
# 2 Meru