How to play the Pick 5

RACE 1: LA MONEDA was on the lead on the main track last time but she's clearly at her best on the turf and off the pace. OUT OF TROUBLE could be the one to catch, and if she's able to dictate her own pace she could well get brave on the lead for her third straight win. WAR CANOE will make her presence felt late (3).

RACE 2: BREAKING THE RULES hasn't disappointed in two starts to date, and he took a big step forward in his 2nd career start. RUGBYMAN blew the doors off maidens over a sloppy track here in his latest and he's clearly a threat today off that effort/Beyer. MASK is better than he showed in the slop in the Pat Day Mile. HIGH NORTH merits respect off the 91 figure he posted at Oaklawn two back (4).

RACE 3: AMERICAN GAL and UNCHAINED MELODY are the primary speeds in the Ogden Phipps -- that is, if the former runs here instead of in the Bed O' Roses on Friday, a race in which she is cross-entered. UNBRIDLED MO, a winner of seven of 10 career starts, will be rolling late (3).

RACE 4: MONOMOY GIRL is clearly the one to beat in the Acorn, and it's not going to be easy to knock her off. She was extraordinary in victory in the Kentucky Oaks, winning from post 14 against a solid field, and she figures to use her tactical speed to her fullest advantage against this shorter field. But I'll also take a shot at adding some value with TALK VEUVE TO ME, who sports a couple of solid works and has some upside in only her 4th career start (2).

RACE 5: HOPPERTUNITY had some trouble in the Alysheba, and was also against the race flow. OUTPLAY and WAR STORY have the speed to get the jump on him; the main question regarding the former is his ability to get the distance, while the latter, who won this race last year, may well get first run on him (3).