Nice field of 10 after scratches.
Most interesting to me is that Irad and Paco (the best of friends) will be next to each other in the starting gate after the 2-3 scratched.
We will likely see some race riding - I use the term loosely when applying it to those two.
As of now, I'm going to give the aforementioned Paco a shot on the
Anaconda, esp if he is anywhere near his 15-1 ML.
Steps into Stakes company today (where else ya' gonna go after clearing the n3x condition?) and I think he will be heard from on the cutback to 6f.
The scratch of the 2 will take some pace out of the race, but Paco is a hustling rider and should have him fairly close throughout. Stayed very close to repeat winner
Big Everest (won the Artie Schiller in his next start) two back through some of the fastest 1/4m & 1/2m splits of the meet, and was still there at the finish. Gets a ground saving trip, shouldn't be too far back when they turn for home, needs to answer the class question in the lane.
Gonna be a good race. Who ya' got?