How to play the Pick 5

Race 6

BATTALION RUNNER ran second in the Grade 2 Wood (finished ahead of Cloud Computing, who came back to win the Grade 1 Preakness). They skipped the Triple Crown trail with him and the $700,000 son of Unbridled’s Song has worked splendidly for this return. PRACTICAL JOKE has been freshened since a nice fifth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby. This shorter trip plays better for him. (2)

Race 7

UNIFIED beat MIND YOUR BISCUITS by a neck earlier this year and looks primed off a freshening and some strong works. MIND YOUR BISCUITS came back after that narrow defeat to look super winning the Grade 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen March 25. AWESOME SLEW returns to 7 furlongs and his two best efforts Beyerwise came at this trip. (3)

Race 8

SISTERCHARLIE showed big talent in France, winning a Group 3 April 23 and then finishing a strong second in a brutally tough Group 1 there June 18. NEW MONEY HONEY was dull when sixth in her seasonal debut at Keeneland this spring but bounced back to win in the Grade 3 Wonder Again here last month. (2)

Race 9

SHAMAN GHOST can probably beat any horse not named Arrogate or Gun Runner and faces neither here. MATT KING COAL comes off a career-best effort winning a stakes at Penn. It’s a longer game and tougher foes but he’s in fine form and may be the controlling speed. (2)

Race 10

CALLED TO THE BAR comes here sharp from France, having won a stakes May 3 and then taking a Group 3 going longer May 23. GOOD SAMARITAN comes off two smart rallying seconds and with those under his belt and today’s longer trip he may be primed for his best. YOSHIDA looked super blasting home from far back to win a stakes at Pimlico last time out. OSCAR PERFORMANCE gave way badly two races back but returned to top form when winning the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge here June 3 over a few of these. WHITECLIFFSOFDOVER invades from Europe for Aidan O’Brien who won this last year with invader Deauville. (5)