Wasn't it one of the Hollywood moguls who used to say that it was unwise to make them, especially if they involved future events?

Blue Burner certainly has the kind of pattern I look to play for a 2+ forward move if the odds are right(15-1 min in this spot imho) and everything else falls into place, but I can't use him on top at 8-1. I think the analysis got it right in saying that BB has a "tendency" to lose ground, as in wide in every race, including a 5.5 furlong race from the inside post, and even after the addition of blinkers. At the same time, I expect BB to improve & would use him in the exotics.

I disagree that Mr John always reacts to tops. He didn't react to the 7.5 & he didn't react to the 5.25, & he has always improved 2nd out, which I expect him to do again here at bettable odds. It also seems as though the addition of blinkers may have cured his previous tendency to drift & swerve in the stretch. Besides, he still owes me quite a bit of money from the 4/21/01 dq, so I'm obligated to at least use him in exotics.

If he gets a decent trip, WC should run a number & is a strong win contender for Frank Alexander, an underrated horseman who should be in the Hall in my estimation. But as much as I like & respect Frank, & even though I think WC is the most likely winner, 5-1 seems awfully short on the win end in a race as competitive as this one, so I'll probably key him 1st & 2nd in exotics with the above two, with very little HH,as well as a lot more with an off the wall shot which I think has a legitimate chance to run a much improved number at odds which I think will be much higher than the 20-1ML.

Sure, Puzzlement is the slowest horse coming into the race. Sure, P needs to improve a lot to have a shot to even get a placing, but I don't see why he can't. He's very lightly raced, he's 2nd off a layoff, he's already won 2 of 3 at the distance, the pace scenario is okay, & his connections are solid. His pattern is similar to BB's, but his odds are going to be twice or more as high.

Best of luck to you as well Chris.