SIXTH RACE

STORM PROPHET has layoff to overcomeas he switches to the Linda Rice barn, but he has always been okay, and seemed to be improving as a 3yo before being pulled up in that last one; think he has found the right kind of spot if ready to run close to his best off the bench. ZIGARCH got bumped between horses at the start and wound up last early before making a good run down the outside to close down maidens in his NY debut; offered little in his next start, but he is lightly-raced and getting a big trainer change for this. Not sure how good JO’S BOLD CAT actually is, but he is third off the layoff, and he did catch significant traffic all through the upper-stretch last time. Worth noting here that should VOODOO SONG somehow get in off the AE’s he would become the top pick and worth a bet at any reasonable price as he returns to turf for the first time since good effort breaking his maiden as a 2yo.

SEVENTH RACE

TUG OF WAR has re-found some of his prior good form since being claimed by Rudy for last three starts, and he felt pretty unlucky last time to bump into a Point Hope who was rejuvenated off the claim to earn a 93 Beyer; effort at this diastance two back was solid while contesting the pace all through the turn before falling to a closer late. GENTRIFY has the best early speed in this field, and he is going to win if he can still bring his best race out there, which is questionable based on his last couple ofraces followed by the big class drop. ACKERET is capable of a race that would strongly contend here, and he ran one of his good ones last time off a bit of a freshening; big threat if he can repeat it.

EIGHTH RACE

MANIACAL put together a nice string of races sprinting on dirt as a 3yo, culminating in top-figure runnerup effort in the Amsterdam, where he might have won if not for wandering away from a strong rail in the stretch; drops following poor effort on turf last time, but his debut on this surface two back was much better vs. a strong field than this one. THE ZIP ZIP MAN has fallen short in backto-back races at this level while trying to close from last; enough pace in this field to give him his best chance. FINAL ENCORE got back to a better distance for him last time and wired a field in just his second turf start for a very dangerous trainer; has other speed to contend with here, but he doesn’t appear to need the lead.

NINTH RACE

COZZY SPRING acted up in the paddock and briefly got loose before racing greenly in her debut, then took a step in the right direction to be clearly second-best to heavily-favored BARBIE ON A BUDGET in her second start, before finally putting it all together in blowout win in the slop last time; not ready to call her a wet track moveup just yet, and she is perfectly drawn on the outside. BARBIE ON A BUDGET was compromised by gate troubles, and also happened to bump into a couple of very nice fillies early on, but she stepped forward to defeat COZZY SPRING last time in the mud; not sure the shorter distance does her many favors, but she is pretty good. Haven’t been a big fan of EMPRESS JINGU from the start, but she did appear to take a step in the right direction when gamely second-best last time with a new top figure.

TENTH RACE

EL TALENTO was impressive defeating maidens in his first start back from a layoff, and he ran every bit as well last time despite getting nailed on the money after getting a comfortable early lead; has to get the seven, but looks tough in this field if he

TAKEOUT INFORMATION ■ Win, place, and show: 16% ■ Daily Double, Quinella, and Exacta wagering: 18.5% ■ Trifecta, Pick Three, Pick Four, Superfecta and Grand Slam wagering: 24% ■ Pick 5: 15% ■ Pick 6 wagering: 24% (15% on non-carryover days)

does. MR. MEISTER did well to get 3rd after all kinds of trouble in his Laurel debut, and he came right back to win his next start after a much better trip; did his best but was in a bit too tough in strong allownace here on Belmont Stakes weekend. AIR VICE MARSHAL arrived with solid European form from limited chances, and he ran well in that offthe-turfer first time over here; disappointed back on grass last time, but that course was a bit of a bog on a day when there races were ultimately cancelled a few races later.

ELEVENTH RACE

UNBROKEN CHAIN a couple of photos away from having a bit of streak going, and he owns the kind of tactical speed which allows Castellano some options in this field, which is quite strong for the level; if it comes down to trips, he may get a good one. FULMER has never panned out after a promising start and a long layoff, but he does have some ability, and has been unlucky more than once along the way; drop for second start off the layoff not a negative considering his history. THERE GOES BEN struggled to break out of the maiden ranks despite coming close several times, but he finally did prevail in his return from the layoff; consistent type can contend with these.