#1 Math Wizard has had some major accomplishments this year from breaking his maiden to winning the Pennsylvania Derby last out. He could have been claimed for $16K at the beginning of the year along with Maximum Security. Last out was definitely a surprise for the connections with his spectacular performance, and though he likely won’t win here, he’s earned a spot.
#2 Seeking the Soul had two rough races where he just didn’t give it his typical performance. Before that, his Stephen Foster win was sensational. I do worry this field may be too tough for him. The horses he was beat by in his last two races are back here. He’s gave it a heck of a run in his twenty nine races with $3.3 million in earnings which is nothing short of sensational.
#3 Owendale was on the Triple Crown path, didn’t get to the Derby, but gave a rock solid performance in the Preakness where he earned some street credit. He’s only been off of the board twice this year in seven starts. The son of Into Mischief is coming up on the million dollar mark looking good. I do wish Florent Geroux was aboard this one again.
#4 War of Will just lost to Math Wizard last out and it was an honest effort. He beat Owendale in the Preakness, and has had a monster year. I like his drive when he runs, and if you look at his charts, they never say gave up or folded. Just a classy young horse and I really hope they will continue to run him. He’s sitting at 20/1 ML and I don’t see him winning but he will try.
#5 Yoshida has Mike Smith on him and is looking to set a record for Breeder’s Cup wins. Though he is a tough horse, he is probably in a little deep. He only lost in the Woodward by a length last out despite a really rocky break. His past two races have been his best this year. He’s had a lot of jockey changes and that could benefit him here as the jockey looks to set a record.
#6 Elate is in the race of her life going against the top boys. She’s been just a wonderful horse to watch and follow. Out of eighteen starts, the seven wins and seven seconds she’s put into her races have a lot of heart. Sometimes racing against the boys can change mares but I am hoping she can stay the same and put in her usual big bid.
#7 Higher Power comes back to face Vino Rosso and Mongolian Groom who have beat him recently. He’s looking good in the mornings. When he won the TVG Pacific Classic, he won by five and a quarter. His past four races have probably been the best of his life. He had been an allowance horse up until June when he finally got a stakes win in.
#8 McKinzie has had a talented career. Losing to Mongolian Groom last out as the heavy, heavy favorite, was a blow. Everybody’s been talking about this guy winning and he certainly has a higher shot, and the son of Street Sense hasn’t been off the board this year, no worse than second. Same goes for this race, I really expect him to run no worse than second.
#9 Mongolian Groom has beat many horses in this race, and although he’s done a lot, he’s not as accomplished as the rest of the field. His talent comes from when he beat McKinzie last out. He’s just kind of one of the horses that runs with the big dogs and tags along. I think he deserves a break after this race, it’s been such a tough campaign this year for him.
#10 Vino Rosso was a 2018 Kentucky Derby contestant just gave the performance of his life last out when he “won” by a nose in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. (He actually lost by a nose and the winner got DQ’d. He’s got killer pedigree that will help him in the breeding shed next year. He’s been working up to this race the whole year and it would be great to see him win two in a row to finish out his career.
#11 Code of Honor was the winner last out (but got DQ’d), and he ran his best race too. He’s very accomplished, only off the board once in nine starts. He’s made a little over $2.2 million, and is only three years old. His third place finish in the Kentucky Derby this year was spectacular. I’m taking him to beat McKinzie.
Hunter’s picks: 11-8-7-6