How to play the Pick 5

Race 7

PROJECTED comes off two strong seconds in graded stakes company. He’s been freshened and that plus the slight drop may do the trick. TAKEOVER TARGET makes his first start in almost 10 months but he has loads of back-class and trainer Chad Brown can get his runners ready. BLACKTYPE has been knocking on the door since last fall and may break through. (3)

Race 8

AMERICAN GAL looked super blasting rivals in the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont July 9, her first start of the year. FAYPIEN comes off three straight wins out West including the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks routing. This distance may player better for her. CHALON has won three of four and a big stakes win at Belmont June 11 showed she could take her show on the road. (3)

Race 9

GUN RUNNER is a standout here. He’s the second best horse in the U.S. and his Grade 1 Foster win was dazzling. (1)

Race 10

SASSY LITTLE LILA was a super second in the Grade 1 Just a Game II June 10 against some of the game’s best. She doesn’t face that kind of company here and her speed can have her in the hunt from the start. BOREALE did good work in France including beating males on multiple occasions and she gamely won her U.S. debut at Delaware June 14. ON LEAVE has come back strong after a long layoff and note a big stakes win on this inner course last summer. ELYSEA’S WORLD has loads of quality and she’s better than she showed last time out. (4)

Race 11

NEOLITHIC was a respectable third in the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup behind the two best dirt horses in the world. He’s been freshened and has worked well for this return. MO TOWN didn’t flourish on the Triple Crown trail this winter/spring but they’ve regrouped with him and he’s worked well. SCHIVARELLI has upset potential coming out of two very tough graded stakes at Churchill. Note a big win at this trip at about this level here a year ago. (3)