PP1 - **DUKE ALI (Team Independent Unity) 6yo by Storm Cat, one of the Sims top horses, currently ranked 6th! Closing in on $3million in earnings, 18 for 38. Back on week 1152 he won a G2, SP120, wire-to-wire. Next he ran 5th in a allowance, SP90, proably a prep for the BB Classic in which he was no factor finishing last. Ran third in a stakes on week 1243, SP117 on 1 mile. And last time out he won a G2 over 1 mile, SP119 wire-to-wire. Like the lead like alot of horses, but I think he'll be the one that gets it, and should say there most of the way.
PP2 - STORM SLITHERING (DelPen) 4yo by A.P. Indy, coming off a 4.5f workout here last week. Before that he won a Mile stakes, SP116 over a sloppy track. Ran 5th over 6.5f against 3yo's before that SP113, and won a 7.5f stakes with a SP116 back on week 1166 against 3yo's. Likes the lead, and may be fastest enough to get it.
PP3 - *SUPER CHAMP (Minnesota) A 4yo homebred by Clever Trick, closing in on the $1million mark, 9 for 18. Hasn't had much experience against older horses, no factor in the BB Sprint. Faced 3yo's in two stakes after that, both 8.5f, and he won both impressively SP107 & 121. Switched to the turf for the first time week 1278 and won a stakes with a SP109, which was his last prep for this race. Has a late kick, and with a fast pace he should be coming late.
PP4 - JUNIOR RULE (Nebraska) 9yo by Bucksplasher, with over $1million in earnings. His better day might of past him by, in his last 5 starts he's been in the top 5 once, the rest of the time he wasn't a factor with SP's around 100. The one time he got the 2nd was a G2, and a 114SP, but that was back on week 1166.
PP5 - HULK NIJINSKY (Ireland) A 4yo by Forty Niner, 6 for 12, with 4 shows. Coming off a decent G3 win SP114 on week 1250, got beat by a head in a G3 before that against 3yo's SP119, both of those over 8.5f's. Before that he won a stakes over 9f's SP114. Well rested for this race, and could be a factor.
PP6 - PROSPECTOR PAUNCHI (Vermont) An 8yo by Mr. Prospector, closing in on the $1million mark. Won two 9.5f stakes wire-to-wire with SP's of 118&109 (weeks 1173, 1194), then won the vermont qualifier over 8f's with a 109SP wire-to-wire. Since then he's ran 2nd of 5 SP100 and 4th of 9 SP102, both times having the lead intil the scretch. Needs to improve off those last two, but a fast pace may not help.
PP7 - SENIOR J. O. (East West Conn.) A 5yo by Quiet American. Was no factor in a G1 last time out, before that he did win a stakes over 8f with a SP113, and had a 2nd before that with a SP108. I don't think he'll be much of a factor.
PP8 - *WESTERN GROOM (North West Racing Ass.) 7yo by Gone West, 8 for 17 on routes. Coming off a nice 2nd in a G2 over 8.5f's, was beat by 3lengths but still got a SP125. Before that he had another 2nd in a stakes, SP115 over 1 mile. His three starts before that he didn't do much. Likes the lead like alot of others, if his last race didn't take to much out of him he should do well.
PP9 - ONE INSPECTOR (New South Wales) 4yo by Gone West, only has one win in the last year. Last time out he faced older horses and ran 2nd in a stakes, SP103. His 4 races before that he was racing against 3yo's and finished 1st and 2nd both SP115, and out of the money. Repeat of the 115SP's and he could be a contender.
PP10 - CROWNPRINCE WELLS (Viking Racing) A 4yo homebred by Sadler's Well, 11 for 24 on the dirt. Coming off a G2 third SP114 on week 1271, before that he won a pair of allowances against 3yo's with SP's 105 & 111. Likes the lead, and I don't think he'll get it.
PP11 - HARDLY WITH MARC (Germany) 4yo by Arazi, only had four starts on the dirt, won 2 of those. Both allowances, SP102 & 100, no factor against these.
PP12 - TWICE MEAL (The Terrapin Jockey Club) 5yo by Brogan. Won 4 of 9 races, had a stakes 3rd week 1250 SP107, and a stakes win on week 1215 SP109, had a couple of poor races in between.
PP13 - *DUKE STORM (South East Racing Ass.) A 6yo by Storm Cat. Coming off a stakes 10th, SP96, maybe that was just a workout.. Before that he ran 4th in a G1, leading most of a race, SP110. Had a pair of stakes victories before both over 1 mile, SP110 & 115, going wire-to-wire. Should improve off his last race, and might be fast enough to get the lead, but can he run a fast pace and not fade?
PP14 - *GOLD PROJECT (Nexis) 4yo by Hansel, 11 for 21. Last time out was his first test against older horses and he ran 2nd over the 1 mile G1, SP112. Before that he had a stakes 7th, SP107. Had a G2 3rd (3/4 lengths), SP116. And won a G3 over 8.5f's, SP119. Likes close to the lead, and might be in a good spot to past the leaders.
PP15 - ST. SIMPLE (Queensland) 4yo by Gulch. Been running in allowances, last time out he SP of 108 (before that he was getting 80's), I don't see him as a factor.
I like the 1-3-8-13-14 (not in that order); highest odds is #3 at 11/1... I'll just get $20 Win #1; $1 exacta/trifecta box on those 5 ($80); $1 tri ALL/3,8,13,14/1; ALL/1/3,8,13,14; 3,8,13,14/ALL/1; 3,8,13,14/1/ALL ($208)
