One of my favorite races of the year as it always seems to draw an interesting field of Americans and Euros on the soft stuff.
This year looks to be no different.
Circus Couture: 100/1 just two back at Ascot, but certainly wasn't embarrassed in his two races at that meet. Suedois, who finished 3rd in his last would be a serious contender in here. 30/1 MLer isn't without a chance.
Spring Quality: That was a pretty good field he beat in the Manhattan with Sadler's Joy and Hi Happy rounding out the Trifecta. He is definitely "in form" and has 6 wins in 11 career starts, with 9 exacta finishes. Can win on the front, and can come from well back. "Numbers" aren't great, but hard to discredit a horse that likes to win, and who has beaten good horses.
Almanaar: Another winner rolling out of the Chad Brown barn comes in off back-to-back victories. Easily running at the best form of his career. He beat Beach Patrol two back, so has to be respected.
Divisidero: Won his last at this very track against a decent field in a G3. An often competitor in American Graded Stakes turf races doesn't seem to have what it takes to win at this level. Exotics?
Century Dream: Was more than competitive in his last two against some really damn good turf Euros at Ascot. 12/1 ML has to be a joke. Major contender that ships with one of the world's best jockeys in Buick.
Catcho En Die: 83/1 two back in the Manhattan, and ran like he was 83/1. Won his last at 12 panels going gate to wire on this very surface, but the waters here are much much deeper. Difficult to see hitting the board.
Twenty Four Seven: Wasn't all that competitive in the G3 prep for this race, and this field is tougher. Complete toss.
Money Multiplier: The ROI on this horse is tough to like as he is always bet, but rarely wins. Undoubtedly a serious contender, but anything less than 8/1 is gonna be tough to swallow. Connections are superb, and thus why he is always overbet.
Deuville: Solid Euro that finished 3rd in this very race last year. Hard to find much better connections than O'brien/Moore, and he comes in off of a good race. Has to be considered on any ticket you wager.
Robert Bruce: This Chilean entry was undefeated before his last race, and wasn't embarrassed even though he finished 6th amid a troubled trip. Brown/Ortiz has to be noted. Serious contender.
Oscar Performance: ML favorite is an all or nothing type sorts in which he has 7 wins in 12 starts with only 1 other board finish. This will be his 2nd start as a 4YO, and can scarily improve. He should be the rightful favorite, and could be tough to beat.
