Mo, I enjoyed and appreciate your thoughts. You've inspired me.

My comments are from a different perspective. From the inside out.

1. ORTIZ JOSE L - Has been aboard MAGNITUDE for his last four races; in fact, MAGNITUDE started winning when Jose got on. Seems there was a story about Jose advising barns not long ago?

2. VELAZQUEZ JOHN R - JR gets aboard Nitrogen for the first time in this race. Her usual rider, Jose, opts for MAGNITUDE. JR is the normal ride for TAP and ANTIQUARIAN, but that combo didn't produce a bevy of winners. IMO, because ANTIQUARIAN cannot handle a fast pace and finish. I'm also expecting NITROGEN to glue to the frontrunner and finish like she always has.

3. FRANCO MANUEL - ANTIQUARIAN TAP's record from last Saturday is still fresh in my mind. BRIS stats about Franco.
+2026 799 22% 57% -0.21
+JKYw/EP types 595 19% 52% -0.54
+JKYw/ Trn L60 2 50% 50% +9.74
+JKYw/ Routes 242 24% 64% -0.49
One of a couple that could really help a vertical bet payoff. Hoping this one drops back early and comes hard late. Hoping for that strategy I'll use him underneath the top jocks.

4. HUSBANDS MICAH - Prat is otherwise occupied by his move to BAEZA. I don't need to understand trainer Saffie Joseph to realize he wins a lot. If he starts, I still think he goes for the lead. Another who I don't think can run with these and finish. If he scratches, depending upon Irad, it is noteworthy to me.

5. ORTIZ, JR. IRAD - It must be written somewhere that the best horse typically attracts the best rider. A runner that runs sensationally fast and also not so fast even advancing in age does not worry me and helps the mutual price.

6. ALVARADO JUNIOR - What no one has mentioned is that this one is owned by Godolphin and just starting his 4 y/o campaign surely targeting the Breeder's Cup Classic. FWIW SOVERNEIGNTY worked a bullet @ 5F mid July. This guy alway finishs. Junior as his regular rider knows what to do with him.

7.GAFFALIONE TYLER - Here is my concern if Irad couldn't get good position and save ground how is Tyler going to do what is needed, Yeah a different race a different place. I'm deducing that Assmussen was really impressed by TIZTASTIC's race vs PHINEAS FOGG. Another that has matured nicely from age 3 to 4. Backing this one requires some real insight yet he's a fast horse to be getting 30/1 on.

8. PRAT FLAVIEN - I haven't decided if BAEZA's 2nd place in the Stephen Foster was due to jockey Prat's handling or just being faster as a 4 y/o. Of course he would have been a winner if the race had been just a little longer. Maybe he's just a mudder. If there is a thunderstorm I certainly will jump aboard this one. A bounce probably not. A mutuel greater than the morning line probably not.

Depending on the old axiom, the rich get richer.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/08/2026 12:22PM by Tavasco.