Well gents, this quagmire at CD changes everything- I feel like my 10 yr. old self whose little league game got rained out. I HATE the slop! All the buildup and preconceived wagers are out the window and it is time for plan B. The figs and their form aren't as reliable, and the first time sloppers will freak- but in what direction!? But I digress...

So Burnham Square will be my key. On figs- paired 4's then 1.25 in the BG- he is the best value in the field at 15-1 as I write. I have him 3x in the futures pools averaging 27-1 so no need for a win wager today at less than. Wilkes has been there with Street Sense and Unbridled. He brought Burnie along with slow and steady progression and he's sitting on his best today! Work of the week- and the only one who went out at CD on the less than fast-dry track to do it. I hope his 424 Tomlinsin # bears fruit!

Hernandez can sit the trip as he showed us last year. He should tuck in for a nice position from the now 8-hole and take some dirt from the inside speed. "...saved ground both turns, circled field, rallied willingly, drew off..." Derby chart dreamin..

So I will rely on Burnie and his team- playing him up and down in the exotics with the best horses because 'the good ones can run on anything' right fellas? That's my strategy for the Big One; build some lottery tickets and pray with a nice bourbon in one hand and cigar in the other.

Who are the other good ones to wheel with him? For my money- dismissing most of the expected early speed there are 8 others: 7- Luxor (3-4 on wet must use!) 8-Journey, (Journey-Burnie box?), 12- East Ave. the quality of the expected pace and he did not stop at the BG wire, 13- Pub and 14- Tiz cuz Assmussen's pretty good and these closers should be running late, 17- Sandman- biggest underlay cuz of the Tiktok kid connection, 18- Sov- all Mott class but Godawful's will not win this year, and 21- Baeza who anywhere near is current odds is phenomenal value relative to the fave! Just for yuks- a small exacta saver Baffy/Lukas 1-5 box in case speed rules and pace does not collapse

Did I mention I hate the slop!? Good luck to all and may they all come home safely! And GO Burnie!