Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (MANDATE) (2-1) - From the Pletcher barn, $200K purchase is dropping into a claimer for the first time. He moves back to the grass where he's been competitive in both starts on it, and this drop has seen Pletcher win with 18 of 54 (33%) in 2019-20.
2nd pick: #5 (Blessed Journey) (9-2) - NEW gelding moves back to the grass after an even 4th place finish on the local dirt Feb. 6. 3yo had checked in 3rd in his previous start on the infield for a $75K tag Jan. 10 and is dangerous today.
3rd pick: #2 (Bee Major) (12-1) - Lightly raced, he tired late after setting a solid pace here at this trip for a $30K March 8. It was his only his second start and first off of a six-month layoff. I think he's a threat at a big price.
4th pick: #10 (Healy's Hope) (8-1) - Colt runs first off a Linda Rice claim (24%), and she switches him to the turf (21%) while stretching him out in distance (27%). No speed type will need a big step up for anything more than a small slice of this.
5th pick: #3 (Happy Danza) (20-1) - He's stretching back out in distance in his third back off a 2.5-month layoff. Blinkers go on, and I expect him to make the lead and take them as far as he can at a big price.