Not sure, but I have to believe this has to be the first time in the history of this race that the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in the Kentucky Derby are looking to show up and contend in this race.
Kudos to Parx. I hope it happens and us horseplayers get a good show, and more importantly for us, a good wagering race.
This 9F race will be contended amid a number of "knowns" and not so much "knowns".
Lets get to it:
Awesome Slew: Won on this very track last out from the 14 hole in a 14 horse race and now comes out of the 1 hole. Took the lead last out and never gave it back. Highly doubt the connections will change that kind of tactic. Question is, will he be fast enough to get the lead in here?
Exaggerator: The dirt vs wet track issues are now real. Should be a dry track, should be a reasonable pace. If Ex isn't a wet track specialist, then this should be his fit. Especially in the 2 hole not having to give up much if any ground.
Summer Revolution: Simply brilliant in his first two starts, and then a brain dead ride in the Kings Bishop. Now Smith is on board, and I don't see that as an upgrade. Distance is a huge question with all 3 career races at 7F. Summer Bird bloodlines could give some pedigree to get more than a mile, but I have to look elsewhere.
Connect: A horse that was supposedly peaking going into the Travers was amid the wash that was Arrogate. Still have Brown and the switch to Castellano could be a spark. 12/1 ML is very appetizing for a horse that has won at 9 panels before.
Cupid: Speed is his weapon. And he has railroaded his last 2 fields by getting to the lead and waving goodbye amongst G2 competition. But lets face it. Those were OC $62K fields and this is a legit G2, if not near G1 field. He wires this field, I take up and notice. Can't see it happening.
Wild About Deb: Lightly raced Eskenderaya colt is on the improve. This is a very interesting long shot. Distance shouldn't be an issue, and a hot pace could see this one rolling late and in serious contention.
Gun Runner: A tough runner that seems to give his very best each time out. Ran a very good 3rd against the romp that was Arrogate in the Travers. Hard to say, but could he "bounce" off a 3rd place effort?
My Man Sam: A deep closer that will need a complete meltdown to be competitive. Since his Blue Grass, he simply hasn't shown much as being a realistic Graded Stakes horse.
Nyquist: Kentucky Derby champ returns to the races after his Pimlico and Haskell near disasters. This is obviously a very talented colt, that likely needed some time off to mature. Most interesting horse in the field. Can't wait to see him run again.
Sunny Ridge: A much forgotten 3YO that has hit the board in a number of decent races. Lightly raced, and could be sitting on a big one as this colt matures. Scary.
Discreet Lover: Deep closer (actually probably just slow) that is up against it.
Hit It Once More: Hard Spun colt that is getting better nearly every time out. Will need to be on the lead or near it to have a chance. Post position is a huge problem, but connections have little option other than to send. Tough to see getting the better of these from this post.
Summary: I see a ton of speed in here, especially the 14 hole and 1 hole needing to press and compact the field creating a scramble for other speed such as Summer, Connect, Cupid, and Nyquist.
I'm strongly looking at
Wild About Deb and
Sunny Ridge to be a big part of this one.