RACE 1
WIN – EVER A FRIEND had a tough trip when last seen here on Aug. 9, bottled up between horses into the far turn, and then altering course in deep stretch. Put in a strong rally to come up a nostril shy. Taken to make amends.
PLACE – REDEFINED draws a difficult post given his pressing style, but is clearly a threat given his current form. Drilled a bullet work in mid-August.
SHOW – SINKWICH hasn’t tried turf since this winter at Gulfstream, but may surprise with a good showing at a square price. His last two dirt starts were taken by Forego entrants. If run on Main Track: 1. Sinkwich; 2. Delta Storm; 3. Gstaad.

RACE 2
WIN – SIR JOCK is a son of Indian Charlie that showed good speed in the morning at Churchill Downs prior to shipping here. Latest work was a smart breeze from the gate, and Guidry gets the call for Romans.
PLACE – Zito sends out a pair, and tabs Velazquez and Gomez to ride. Both PICK OFF and WEB GEM managed to find MSW races won by good-looking Mott runners. Either could get the job done with reasonable improvement.
SHOW – GOLDEN WEEKEND has worked swiftly for this, but Carlos Martin wins with just six percent of his debut runners. The presence of Prado is certainly a positive.

RACE 3
WIN — VITRUVIUS was scratched from a 9-furlong race earlier in the meet as Jerkens wanted to bring him back going seven. Been on the shelf since April with a skin disease, but should run his mark to 3-for-3 if ready.
PLACE — LEO hasn’t run poorly in either start this season for Godolphin, and has been working very sharply for this. Was a good second two back despite failing to change leads.
SHOW — BRILLIANT SON ran a career best most recently when just nipped late on opening day. Both lifetime wins have come at this distance, but needs a repeat of his last to mount a challenge.

RACE 4
WIN — MONSIEUR PEPP has been working strong half-miles for several months, including a trio of gate moves. Interesting that this guy debuts with Lasix, something not very common for Biancone. Dam also produced the freakishly-fast Songster.
PLACE — SAM’S PASSION finished second in his debut behind Maimonides, so we’ll excuse that defeat. Managed to nose-out Grand Minstrel, who returned to run very well here on Travers Day. Mate TRUTH RULES in interesting in that he shows no posted works since Aug. 6.
SHOW – HYRULE makes his career debut for Mott, although he was sent down to Belmont when Mott’s string came to town at the start of this meet. Son of Smart Strike is not out of the question to come out running.

RACE 5
WIN — When I started handicapping this race, was positive I didn’t like DUBLINER, who has been beaten as the favorite in seven consecutive races, yet the other contenders are winless from more tries than this guy. Reluctantly, his last chance!
PLACE — JELLY ROLL RUMBLE has made just a single start this year, and Gomez rode this guy well last summer. The downside — still a maiden from 14 starts.
SHOW — HOWDYAMISSTHISONE has finished second in three consecutive races, and certainly like the fact that Cornelio stays here despite having ridden several others in their latest. If run on Main Track: 1. Dr. D. F. C.; 2 Fiddlers Warrior; 3. Dubliner.

RACE 6
WIN — COBRE marks the first starter for owner Seth Benzel, who is also Pletcher’s New York assistant. Decent works when stable was overseen by Benzel this spring, and a nice gate move most recently.
PLACE — HUSSONFIRST debuts for Rice, who saddled firster Bar City to victory on Thursday. Shows five consecutive turf works in advance of this. Mate GREY EXPRESSION could also be tough if able to draw in.
SHOW — DIAMOND TOUGH begins his career for Wesley Ward, who clicks with 30 percent of his first-time starters. If run on Main Track: 1. Rollers; 2. Cobre; 3. Rice entry.

RACE 7
WIN — Listed fourth on the AE list, but YANKEE THUNDER is the choice if in. Else, ADMIRAL BIRD seems to be improving after being gelded over the winter. Explosive kick may be flattered by hot pace, although Prado will need to find a seam.
PLACE — Traffic troubles for the late-closing Admiral Bird will only increase the chances of CHASING THE CROWN, who should avoid much traffic by being forwardly placed throughout. Cut back to a flat mile and an inside post also help the cause.
SHOW — GOOD GOING DARL won here last season, and returns here fresh off a July 8 break. If run on Main Track: 1. Yankee Thunder; 2. My Apology; 3. Admiral Bird.

RACE 8
WIN – SECOND MARRIAGE ran a career-best when sprinting on turf this past spring at Belmont, and now gets back to a similar condition here. Love the recent blazing works and the fact Velazquez takes the call for the first time.
PLACE – Will need a scratch to draw in, but KARAKORUM ELEKTRA is the first call for Garcia and is in fine form now for Rice. Mate OFF SWEETS seems the lesser half, but is not out of the question given the connections.
SHOW – HEAVENLY ANNA always runs her race, but rarely wins. ZIP OF FOOLS could surprise first-time turf, and first-time Gomez. If run on Main Track: 1. Twistaway; 2. Second Marriage; 3. Duchess of Rokeby.

RACE 9
WIN – Violette has pointed HIGH FINANCE to this spot since his victory in the Tom Fool on Independence Day, and with an outside post, should keep Attila’s Storm company throughout. Best if able to keep current form.
PLACE – ATTILA’S STORM ran huge here in the Vanderbilt, but will now have High Finance glued to his outside here. Seven furlongs may be a bit farther than he truly wants to go.
SHOW – SIMON PURE has really improved since coming to the Asmussen barn earlier this year, and managed to finish third opening weekend. The added furlong will help as he will be closing, but has yet to prove he is fast enough to spring the upset. MIDNIGHT LUTE must be respected as he hails from the Baffert barn, but has shown a tendency to break slowly when returning from a break.

RACE 10
WIN – LAWYER RON has learned to settle this year, which has attributed greatly to ascent in the handicap division. Rail post here does him no favors, but will be tough if Johnny is able to get out in the clear tracking Wanderin Boy.
PLACE – WANDERIN BOY has run some very good races when allowed to control the tempo, as appears to be the case here. Clearly second-best in the Whitney, and see no reason to think he can’t complete the Woodward exacta as well.
SHOW – Might as well keep going and tab DIAMOND STRIPES to complete the trifecta, just as he did in the Whtitney. Eligible to improve in just his fourth start of the year, and may attempt to keep Lawyer Ron pinned inside early.

RACE 11
WIN – UNCLE INDY finished just a length behind the top choice in his latest despite racing between horses through the lane. Cornelio opted off for the winner that day, but is back today.
PLACE – EQUITABLE endured a tough trip when last seen on Aug. 11, roughed up early before being spun wide off the turn, yet still managed to only come up a half-length short. Should prove best with smoother sailing.
SHOW – KAISHU appears to be the lone speed, and is certainly intriguing that Biancone gives a leg up to Florent Geroux. DYNASKI could improve second off the break. If run on Main Track: 1. Uncle Indy; 2. Equitable; 3. Inquisitive.

BEST BET
Ever a Friend (Race 1)

PICK 4 PLAYS
Early: 1,4 with 4 with 1,9 with 4,6,8,11
Late: 1,10 with 7,10 with 1,2,6 with 7,12

Meet Record: 314-83-42-49
$2 Win Total: $83-42-49