2. Talented Pegasus- A 3 yr old colt out of Roman Ruler, Talented Pegasus comes into today’s race having finished 4th in a NG stakes. Some may say that’s not to great. Well, he finished 4th, losing by ¼ length. Talk about a blanket finish. Talented Pegasus made up 8 lengths in the stretch to fall a tad short. He doesn’t have the back class as some in here, but he is definitly capable of stealing at 12-1. Trainer Broohar gives him a shot here today. I look for Talented Pegasus to also sit near the rear and time his run into the stretch with a few in here. Listed at 12-1 and may be the one took look out for of horses on the improve.

3. Affirmed Destiny- Trainer Baggio gives Affirmed Destiny another shot here today in graded company. He has run 3 times in graded races with his best finish being a 5th. Today, Affirmed has to step up his speed numbers considerably to be a force here. May be his last graded attempt here before trying turf, if not successful here. 23-1 may be closer to the pace today, as they may help his chances more.

4. On The Road- Trainer Super brings #3 ranked horse in the division here today. An underlay at 6-1, the 3 yr old has already won a Gr1 and a Gr3. He has also finished 2nd 3 times in Gr 3’s. Definitly the backclass horse in today’s race. Super’s probably is giving On The Road his last prep for the Bluegrass today. From a pace scenario today, the race sets up real well for him today, as he will probably sit off Talking Baseball’s flank and try to run him down late. Not many knocks here against this horse and is one to fear greatly in today’s event.

5. Shemal Dubai- Dubai Destination colt comes of a 3rd place finish in an all nw4l event. Shemal only lost that race by 1 ½ lengths, getting a little leg weary late. Pace factor for Shemal does not set up well for him today. He seems to prefer the lead early, but that probably won’t happen today. If Shemal Dubai can change his tactics here today, he may respond better. He must show that he can handle the huge jump in class with some battle tested warriors in here already. Look for Shema to sit 3rd early, with the final 2f deciding his fate. He is listed at 24-1.

6. 5) Fly Sky High- Trainer LSUMARK brings the 4th place finisher of the Gr 3 Risen Star Stakes here today. In that race he had the lead until the top of the stretch to finish 6 ¼ lengths out. The son of Sky Mesa had won 3 straight prior to that with one being a NG stakes. Looks like the front running type who will battle heads early with Talking Baseball. His impeccably lineage will be used here today to thwart the list of hungry closers who will be looking at a suicidal pace. Has a chance here today, but must not get into an early dogfight today. If can relax a bit, may be the stalker off the front runners and use that to his advantage. Listed at 6-1 and deserves a big look.

7. Skip Or Sweet- The Dutrowbros bring the son of Skip Away to the post. Dissappointed in his last (Gr 3 Risen Star), but deserves another shot here today. 7 for 9 in the money and he has won a NG stakes before. May need to up his speed numbers here today, but a horse like this is capable. A stalker, who can use that to his advantage today. Has run 3 speed numbers in the 90’s already but again will face a class field. He is listed at 12-1 and looks to utilize stalking position to overcome possible class deficiency.

8. Midtown Riot- Trainer Pilgrim brings the son of Strret Cry to the post. In Midtown’s last Gr1 Vermont Is For Lovers, Midtown Riot had the lead by 2 ¼ turning for home. He got tired through the stretch and finished a very good 3rd. Being his first race at that distance and in that company, he showed a lot of fight through the stretch to finish 3rd. He bounced out of the gate in that one, which for him, was a change of tactics. Don’t know which tactics will be employed here today, but he if goes for the lead, there will be a 4 horse struggle for it. Again, if he can sit just off of it and time his jump when others start going backwards, he may have a timed trip. 9-1 and is a threat here today.

9. Litchfield Park- Much improving 3 yr old is ready to pop a big one. Is today the day? 17-1 can’t be correct by the betting public. This 3 yr old trained by CVBEAR stables, is the type of horse that comes out of allowance and stamps his Bluegrass ticket. Only knock is career 5 races and being his first shot at any kind of stakes. However, tread lightly. Improving speed numbers, distance and breeding, along with running style makes him huge threat today. Litchfield Park will be one of the most here today benefiting from what I think will be an actual blistering pace. He loves to play around early, but make no mistake about it he comes running late. Today, he must show he ready to roll with the big dogs, but I say beware.

10. Comanche Moon- 3 yr old son of Macho Uno, Comanche Moon comes of an impressive nw3l win. Comanche drew off to win by 3 ½ lengths. Comanche Moon is another one here today that has a beautiful running style for this race. He will sit mid-pack and make his run at the 2f marker. Trainer Fatattack gives Comanche Moon his class test here today. I believe Comanche desrves a shot here today. Nothing is at all lost by this horses entry. He has the earmarkings for a sublime effort. He must show his class step forward today, but he is primed for a big effort. Has the pedigree and looks like a horse who is ready to pop the big one. Has an extremely impressive run through the stretch. If he can handle the class jump, he hast that big time ability to run well enough to at least hit board if not win. Has to again make class jump, but is capable.

11. Hoosier Hysteria- Hoosier Empire brings Hoosier Hysteria to the post (say that 3 times fast.lol) Having only 2 starts, this horse is looking to do something that is very difficult to do. After a decent 4th as a 2yr old in his MSW, Hossier ran his last, in another MSW 5 weeks ago. In that event, Hossier Hysteria ran an effortless 143: 2/5 and won going away by 4 ¼ lengths. The son od Any Given Saturday definitly remains the X factor in the race. A class jump of this nature is not seen very often in the Sim. But, once in awhile a horse just proves he’s that good that young. He brings a lack of class to the race, but a trmendous upside potential. Listed at 26-1

12. Vindicated Storm- Trainer Gatetowire brings the son of Storming Home to the post. In Vindicated’s last, against 5 others, he ran well on the off track to finish 2nd. In his previous stakes attempt, again an off track, he finished a dissappointing 6th by 8 lengths. In his first 2 races of his carrer, both fast tracks, he won both in convincing fashion. I lke the fact that he is on the fast dirt today, along with the fact that he has run 2x in stakes already. If he can continue his progress, and keep his fast track form going, Vindicated has a decent chance here today to spring the upset. Like many today, his class will be tested, but beware of horses going back to the fast track with 2 races that “appear” to be so-so. Will be sitting towards the rear today and will get an idea of how he handles the class jump with about 4f to go.

13. Talkin' Baseball- Runner-up 2 yr old Eclipse nominee is coming off his only bad race in his career. Trained by Metallinut, Talking is one serious fast horse. Before his last race, Talkin' Baseball was only headed at any part of a race 1 time in his career (that being his 2nd start in the Equinics). There is some serious quality speed in today’s race, but none with the resume of his. Talkin' has won a Gr1 and a Gr3 sprinting already. He defines his backclass with speed numbers that are unparrelled (104). So let’s give him the trophy, you may say. Not so fast. Talkin' Baseball has many questions to answer today. First off: Is he a sprinter only type? Was his last race a dissappointment due to his first time on the off track? And lastly, is this his make or break race to decide the rest of his 3 yr old season? I look for Talkin' to take the lead deep into the race, the last 1-2f will be his answer. 2nd choice at 5-1.

14. Airmont Survivor- Son of Lion Hearted, Airmont comes into today’s race with a very nice run in his last, the Gr3 El Camino, where he finished a solid 3rd. Trainer Dundey rightfully brings this horse here today. Airmont has showed steady progress his career and his last showed he’s ready for the graded playingfield. 9 for 11 in the money shows his consitency and his last showed his class. Airmont deserves a long look by many in here today, as he may just stamp his own ticket to the Bluegrass. He is a steadily improving horse who can and will pop a big speed number soon. Is today the day? If he does, watch out Bluegrass boys, you have a new player in town.


Smokeglack's Analysis:
First off, one of the reasons I don’t do as many articles as I would like is because I try to be as thorough as possible and research the race. Today's writeup is not one of them. I apologize to all, as I have had a long week with personal family, but still wanted to do the race for everyone. I apologize in advance if there is a mistake here and there.
With that said, I think this is a dazzler of a race. There is a ton of good speed in here with some stalkers and class tested closers. Wouldn’t surprise me here if the stakes record gets broken. Know that’s hard to predict, but winning time and speed numbers should be something of substance here. I’m predicting 102-105 for winning speed number. Here’s my 5 stabs at race:
1) Tonyocity- Pace sets up perfectly for him today and has breeding and class to do it today.
2) Talkin' Baseball- Will lead them as far as he can today, but cannot discard his quality. Will answer his distance questions today.
3) On The Road- Can flip-flop positions with Talkin' Baseball as the 2 horses have similar pace styles. Definitly backclass and stalking style will serve him well.
4) Litchfield Park- Big time improving horse and is a threat today at 17-1. Don’t discard.
5) Airmont Survivor- Last race was nice effort..If can improve more today, has a good shot.

Good luck to all the trainers today. Is now post time.