Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #10 (LISBON) (7-2) - A home bred by 'Quality Road,' he's racing off a private trainer change to Steve Asmussen, 47 of 263 (18%) with new arrivals in 2018-19. This colt has good early speed and is dropping into a claimer for the first time. Asmussen has done well here the past 10 days and his 'go to' rider Ricardo Santana, Jr. is aboard.
2nd pick: #2 (Hurricane Jake) (9-2) - The main speed in this contest, he's stretching back out in distance after an even effort following a bobbling start sprinting here July 11. Another in a claimer for the first time, he has the rail here, and it's noted leading rider Jose Ortiz is aboard for the first time. A strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Sandy Lane Kitten) (5-1) - He's one of several older runners entered, and this Ramsay home bred by 'Kitten's Joy' has been freshened up since a pair of useful efforts in Kentucky during the spring facing tougher. Colt has a fine series of works showing, drops into a claimer, and has blinkers on.
4th pick: #8 (Strategic Outlook) (10-1) - A 4yo gelding by 'Medaglia d'Oro,' he was sharp in his first pair, but has regressed since being claimed away from Chad Brown for $75,000 last Sept. He enters off of three straight even efforts and may get a minor award here at a square price with a bit of improvement.
5th pick: #7 (Duress) (6-1) - A $210K purchase, he raced evenly when debuting in a local grass sprint July 11. Colt has worked twice since, drops in class, and is stretching out in distance. He earned a figure that fits with these and is bred to like today's longer trip.