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Race 3: Skywriting (#2)
- DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past 5 years, Linda Rice is 10 for 38 (26 percent, $3.04 ROI) first off the claim in turf routes.
- Is bred to handle turf, being out of a dam who was a turf horse who is also a half-sister to turf stakes winner Buddy’s Humor.
- Has good tactical speed in a race that lacks a confirmed front-runner.
6-1 on ML
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Race 5: Scars Are Cool (#4)
- The Pace Projector is predicting he will be up close to the pace in a race that does not feature much speed.
- Should have won last time when he had to alter course multiple times over the final 3 furlongs.
- DRF Formulator Fact: Since his return to training, Stanley Hough is 7 for 21 (33 percent, $3.50 ROI) in dirt routes.
6-1 on ML
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Race 8: Yankee Empire (#3)
- Had a nightmare of a trip in his debut, getting caught in traffic behind a slow pace while throwing his head about.
- The 93 TimeformUS Speed Figure that he earned for that first start makes his fast enough to win many races at this level.
- Has worked well since that debut effort.
6-1 on ML
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Race 9: Halladay (#8)
- The 109 TimeformUS Speed Figure that he earned for his maiden win makes him competitive here and was validated by runner-up Sayyaaf’s next-out win.
- Handled a route distance better than it might appear last year when crossing the wire ahead of turf stakes winner Seismic Wave.
- DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past 5 years, Pletcher is 6 for 24 (25 percent, $2.88 ROI) with last-out maiden winners second off a layoff on the turf.
5-1 on ML
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Race 10: Borracho (#8)
- Might have won the Grade 1 Woody Stephens had Jose Lezcano been able to find an outside path.
- Has clearly improved since his connections decided to focus on sprint races.
- That bullet 45 4/5 seconds workout last week suggests that he’s maintaining top form coming into this race.
7-2 on ML
