Mall,

Interesting notes on Resolve. I still think he is just too slow to have much of a chance but you make some interesting points and Levine is red hot if you look at his last 90 day stats. If Resolve does run a big one, I would watch all of Levine's horses from now on. Resolve is much the slowest in the race and a need-the-lead type that is unlikely to get the lead. An in-the-money effort will be a good indicator that his barn may need to be added to the "Enhance Past Opinions (EPO)" list.

Regarding the pace, I imagine that some of the front-runners may indeed try to rate behind the lead but, even if they do, they will be taken out of there best game and still be pressing a hot pace.

Bonapaw is the one that may be able to clear early but he is on the rail and is not a good gate horse. I have a hard time seeing a horse that always goes to the lead, can breeze in 57 and is coming out of the BC sprint not being on or pressing the lead in here.

Resolve - It will be a surprise if he does anything but gun from the 2 hole. He may not be quick enough but he will try.

Congaree - They have tried rating him in the past and it did not work very well. I have to believe he will be gunning from the start.

Crafty CT - They may try to rate him but Pat V. is the best gate rider around and he is coming out of the BC sprint. It is hard to see him sitting very far off the lead.

So you have 4 fast horses that want to be on or near the lead. This race looks to setup just like the Met eariler this year. In that race, Crafty CT pressed a hot pace 5-wide and tired along with the other front runners (which included Left Bank) setting it up for Swept Overboard who had a perfect rail trip and Aldebaran who closed from farther outside. I see either Aldebaran, Red Bullet and Windsor Castle reprising a similar 1-2 finish in this race.

Should be a good one.

Good luck to all.

Chris

P.S. Mall - I hope you stay hot.