First of all I want to acknowledge my concern for the health of the horses running @ Monmouth today. Hopefully some of those coolers that we've seen on TV cooling football player in So. Florida will be on hand to cool horses off after the race.

My impression of the Haskel is that it is a curious race in so much as only one horse (Everlast) has a proven ability to make up any ground. OK, technically, King For A Day has made up some ground. He passed Maximum Security in the stretch last out. He also passed a couple early @ CD in the KYJC before being run down.

The ability to make up ground and pass horses is more of a concern for vertical bettors wanting to fill out a tri or super. You know those folks who try to complicate a race forecast by factoring in pace and running style. For them, the first problem is Everlast, he is not dependable. He may lose interest all alone behind the other six(6) wanna lead contenders.

So generally the race can be imagined as six speedballs rushing to the front and then one by one also rans dropping off the pace to be cared for before heat prostration sets in.

Given the scenario above, two favorites run the risk of being compromised. The inside horse #1 King For A Day, on the rail will IMO, be out quicked away from the gate end up behind horses early. The outside horse #7 Maximum Security doesn't appear to have gotten the knack of rating at all. Although predictably good from the gate his weakness if he has one is going too fast early or what if he gets behind horses or forced wide on the first turn? Just a possibility?

The third of the favored trio could should get an ideal trip. I don't think he'll contest the lead, rather he'll track just behind the leader. I like that Mucho Gusto is a veteran of races in which he finished strongly.

But what about the other three(3) the pricey contenders that could be in the picture early? #2 Joevia proved his stamina in the Belmont and sans a bounce should be near the lead a long time. At m/l 10/1 he's a must use for me. #3 Spun To Run doesn't appear a good gate horse and will probably come out behind the pace setter but may prove tenacious and not fade until the stretch. Traffic hazard or potential jump up? Then we have #4 Bethlehem Road. It wasn't the pace in the Ohio Derby that got him last out. It was pedestrian. The colt bounced. It is kind of soon to expect a rebound. But he's as quick as any and I expect he'll go with Maximum Security softening that one up and earning the distinction of the first to spit the bit.

Bottom Line
Key #2 Joevia with the three 2/1 favorites in verticals. If Joevia gets hammered at the windows use #3 Spun To Run keyed with the four above.