Ask The Experts

just an impossible race....1-2-6-8

The TRIP factor is affected dramatically as field size increases; I am speaking from both a race quality AND betting standpoint.

Look, I play more grass than dirt because A) field size is greater on average, and B) better mutual potential. All I am saying is that for our greatest race, there is a point of diminishing returns, from BOTH a racing and wagering viewpoint.

Just look at English racing; extremely large fields in wide straights that often break into 2 or three groups, run tactically. Just look at how our grass stakes racing has changed to mostly even-paced early and fast final fractions.

I have seen too many good to great horses never getting a chance to show their best, and often, it had little to do with figs.

A Zero does win this, and a LOT of horses won\'t go forward enough, or will be compromised by the trip.

Academic, until we see the draw; personally, I hate these 20 horse fields, and I wish they would limit it to one gate (14 horses)

Too many bad horses ruin it for legit contenders!

Don\'t agree about the Blue Grass....think Thunder Gulch. His BG was awful, as the race was run with a nothing pace and he ran accordingly. Got a great post, pace, and ride to win the big one.

IF \'Joke draws a wide post, he is the most likely winner, at a price. I like horses with solid 2yo foundations, and the match race with Syndegaard knocked him out.

He is recovered, and coming forward at the right time. McC IS the real deal, and his CD form speaks volumes!

This is a race for a chance to be BIG in the exotics; the pace of this NYB turf stakes changed dramatically when front-speed Freudie Anne didn\'t enter, and pace-presser Mah Jon Madness opted for the Nobel Damsel.

JC\'s Shooting Star (30-1) better than last; prefers firm grass, but a cut below these.

Fourstar Crook (2-1) Logical, and last two are career best, but adds 5 lbs off the Yaddo win. key to this race is to watch the early races to see if turf favors her closing punch; if speed prevails, she can hit the board, but i will take a stand against her.

Flipcup (6-1) Ridiculous ML; should be under 4-1. Major player for Mott, but was she helped by the softer turf in the Yaddo??

Carameaway (30-1) No, and a likely scratch.

Neck of the Moon (7/2) Win-pool underlay, but an exotic must-use, as she always hit the board. Let her beat me!

Old Harbor (8-1) Won restricted at Delpark that was written for her; in good form, and one of the pace keys. IF she wars on the front with Invading Humor, then the closer will feast.

The Tea Cups (4-1) cross-entered in the Nobel Damsel, perhaps to get Graded black-type. Major player in here if she goes!

Invading Humor (20-1) The other pace key, and she finally gets the cool weather she loves, and firm grass in a NYB stakes. Has the best pace numbers, and won this in 2014; IF \'Harbor sits off of her, as she did in the Ticonderoga, she is a real threat to wire these, at a price!

Jules N Rome  MTO

Selenite (10-1) Has run well, and last was hidden by a bad trip; can hit the board at a nice price.

Swear By It (30-1) Has never been this good, but  was cleverly placed to get graded black type going very long at Delaware...pass!

The play: Watch the early turf routes, as this will temper the play. Invading Humor at anywhere near the ML is the across-the-board play; use in exotics with Selenite, Fourstar Crook, Flipcup, \'Moon, and Tea cups, if she goes!

Well.....IH handled the ship, but HATES soft grass; would have been there at the end if firm. Her sister fared no better at GPW; soaking wet in the paddock. It was over before it started! She just does not ship. Good call Rick B!!

any chance the Cardinal at CD, or the My Charmer at GPW as ROTW? Both look like good betting races....thanks!