Don Chavez

Platinum Couple

Has yet to hit the board in a graded stakes race.  Tough position on the rail, and should get buried at the back of the pack.  The race needs to break down for him to score.

Sunriver

This Pletcher entry has improved in his last four starts.  Has won and placed in two starts over a fast Belmont Track.  Has shown the ability to rate and close on the front runners.  Tough to leave out of the exotic wagers.

Hemingway’s Key

Took show money in the Preakness.  Didn’t take to a sloppy Gulfstream track in the Holy Bull.  Could take third or fourth.

Bob and John

The wise guy play.  USA today is touting this horse and the public will jump on because of his Wood Memorial victory over a sloppy Aqueduct track.  Hank “the tank” Goldberg has eluded that this is his pick…I’ll stay away from him.

High Finance

Speed and faaaaaaaaaaade.  This horse steps up from allowance company and will be making his first start around two turns.  Looks like he could be a star in the future, but I think the 1 1/2 and the field will be too much for him.

Oh So Awesome

Team Valor purchased this horse specifically for this race based on his pedigree.  Will sit off the pace and look to close in the stretch.  His only dirt start was over a sloppy Belmont track, and was much more promising than it looks on paper.  The odds and the upside on this horse are too good to pass up.  I’ll have him across the board and in my exotics.

Deputy Glitters

Has not shown the ability to handle a sloppy track.  Has been beat by four of the contenders in this race.  Needs the field to backup to take some purse money.

Jazil

Will do what he does best, close.  Has an affinity for rounding out the superfecta.  Can handle the slop and could thrive on the added distance.  I’ll use him in the exotics, and wouldn’t argue with anyone who thinks he could win.

Bluegrass Cat

Rewind to January, and he was the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.  Many lost hope after a 21 1/4 length loss in the Bluegrass Stakes.  Rebounded in the Derby with an impressive second place finish.  I think he’ll be the leader into the stretch, the only question will be if he can fend off Jazil, Steppenwolfer, and Oh So Awesome. 

Double Galore

Stepping up from Maiden Special Weight.  They’ll probably run out of room for his odds on the tote board.  Throwout.

Steppenwolfer

Just like Jazil, he’ll be closing.  Has hit the board in 8 of 9 tries.  Albarado will need to gear him down at the start to settle him behind the pace.  Could best the field and I’ll use him in the exotics.  If the odds are right I’ll also take him across the board.

Sacred Light

I wouldn’t be shocked if he hit the board.  Has spent most of the year chasing Brother Derek who is now on vacation.  Also faced Bob and John and could not make up ground on him at 1 1/8.  If I’m going to play against Bob and John, then I’ll play against Sacred Light as well.

So on to the picks…

1. Oh So Awesome

2. Steppenwolfer

3. Sunriver

4. Jazil