FOREVER YOUNG

BRIAN: Let me start by saying I really like this horse, and why not… This was my write up from the Derby…

The other Japan horse, and the one with a track record. Undefeated in 5 starts at 5 different tracks, and in 3 different countries. He takes his race with him wherever he goes, and has shown he can win in multiple ways. Never less than a mile in all 5 races, and always hits the line in front. He’s getting a lot of praise and I think rightfully so. He most recently paired “1”s on Thorograph, so he’s definitely in the mix. Ughhhh!!! I’ll probably use him.

Now 6 for 7 after probably being the best horse in the Derby, and all he’s done recently is come off a 5 month layoff, and win the 10F Japan Dirt Classic with ease. In my mind, he should be the favorite here. Definitely using in my Super, and across the board.

GERARD: I wasn’t a huge fan of this guy before the Derby but his performance in Louisville made me a believer. He would have won if it weren’t for Tyler. Got a freshening during the summer and returned to win the Japan Dirt Classic. Expect him to move forward from that.

LISA: The horse is a superstar. He's got that grit and determination that absolutely demands respect in any wager. He'll be a feature in the 2nd through 4th spots in my supers and part of the boxed one as well which still gives me a shot if he can pull it off.

HIGHLAND FALLS

BRIAN: With an impressive win in the JCGC he opened some eyes… He’s always been a cut below, but also always in the mix. Sometimes horses just need a little seasoning. Could he be getting really good at the right time.. I think maybe. Speed figs aren’t incredibly fast. He might be just outside the best here, but I’m going to consider him.

GERARD: Good performance in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and seems to be finally fulfilling his potential. Tactical enough to be close to the pace and should be around at the end.

LISA: I like his style, his configurations and his persistence. His stamina leanings will serve him well if City of Troy fires and his style comes in handy if Troy retreats. He has both sides covered and will be a welcome long odds fixture in all of my super bets.

CITY OF TROY

BRIAN: What a conundrum… When Aidan O’Brien says he’s the most talented horse he’s ever trained, do you need to go any further?!?!!? Unfortunately yes, because… Dirt. Filthy, dirty, sandy, Dirt! Training on all-weather with 4 stablemates does not equal dirt experience. Also, it’s a bit of a mystery as to where he might be placed early, although based on his training and workouts, it seems they want him much more into the race early.. and then allow him to use his bottomless stamina to seal the deal. I really want him to win, and would not be shocked if he did, but there are question marks that can’t be ignored. Must use.

GERARD: In my eyes this is the best horse in the race but I can’t see him winning. Could get “Bayerned” leaving the gate and even if he breaks cleanly he could still end up taking a lot of dirt. Heart says yes but the head says no.

LISA: I see him as the Equinox of the weekend. He fires early and he is unstoppable or he can't get his grip and that killer stride suffers. That's it. It's all or nothing. Therefore, he gets my money from to top to bottom on that super pared with another. Let the two scenarios fly!

MIXTO

BRIAN: Horse for course? He’s 2 for 2 since his maiden… while being 0 for everywhere else. He also freaked in the Pac Classic with a 108 Bris figure… never higher than 96 prior. Too many others I like here. He’s a pass for me.

GERARD: Won a weak edition of the Pacific Classic over course and distance at 22/1 and seems to be improving. His works have looked good and it is interesting to note that his two highest BRIS figs have come at this distance.

LISA: There was something very strange about that Pacific Classic. I can't see voodoo like that striking twice in a row.

SENOR BUSCADOR

BRIAN: Very cool horse. Great story, great connections… just hasn’t been the same since his trips to Dubai and Saudi Arabia… Don’t think he’s the same horse… Could come running late, but things would have to absolutely collapse for him to get there. Pass.

GERARD: Ran two great races in the Saudi Cup and DWC, but he doesn’t seem to be the same since his return. Also think he is better at 9f.

LISA: Ushba Tesoro and Sierra Leone get my attention as the big league reliable closers for the super. Highland Falls and even Tapit Trice suit my fancy for the longshot additions. That would be enough.

DERMA SOTOGAKE

BRIAN: Runner up in the Classic last year, but last year feels like a long time ago… Hasn’t been very good this year… Pass.

GERARD: Last year was probably the time to have him as he doesn’t seem to have progressed much this year.

LISA: Used him last year in the super based on his configurations and they are still quite nice for this year. But his competition for the two scenarios with Troy lead me to see that I really can't factor him in this year with either scenario.

USHBA TESORO

BRIAN: Our 3rd Japanese horse in the race, and somewhat overlooked. Was 5 for 5 heading into last years Classic, and came up short… Finished 2nd in both Saudi and Dubai in the Spring, and came back after 6 months to finish 2nd in his prep for this… Still very much a threat, and eligible to step forward after the layoff… I think he’ll be used underneath.

GERARD: If you liked him last year at 3.8/1, you gotta like him here at anywhere near his 12/1 morning line. Finished second in his final prep and should be primed for a big effort.

LISA: He will be joined at the hip with Sierra Leone on all of my super bets. If Troy fires, the speedy guys will all falter trying to keep up, leaving the pressers and rear guys to have their fun. You must consider the two scenarios and bet accordingly. Two separate tickets with Ushba and Sierra prominent in case Troy destroys the lead tier.

PYRENEES

BRIAN: Not fast enough. Not wasting time here. Pass.

GERARD: Has had a solid campaign for a very underrated trainer. He will need to step forward here but he is not without a chance of claiming a minor award.

LISA: This horse is just not in the same league.

FIERCENESS

BRIAN: Certainly fast enough and maybe now mature enough too. He was the Derby favorite, but was flat when asked, and when looked in the eye. That has not been the case in the 2nd half of the year. Has every right to win this, but will need the trip and will need to run his race. I’ve never been the biggest fan, but I can’t deny the talent. I expect him to be forward, and have a chance… Will use, just don’t know if I’ll put him on top.

GERARD: Gained some redemption in the Jim Dandy and Travers after a lackluster derby performance. He was all out to hold off Thorpedo Anna in the Travers and the pace figures to be a lot hotter in here.

LISA: I think his fate relies 100% on City of Troy. If Troy rolls, he takes out all of the speed who try to go with him, leaving the closers to pick up the pieces underneath. If Troy slides all over the place, speed retains the advantage and in that scenario, I think Fierceness has proven the best of the lead tier on similar bias. Two tickets - two scenarios.

TAPIT TRICE

BRIAN: This is a long shot I would not ignore. Weird to say he’s a longshot but odds say that he is… There is a lot of talent under the hood, if he can get the trip. He certainly has the stamina. I have to sprinkle him in, but will wait to see him pre-race before deciding how much.

GERARD: This guy reminds me a lot of Tacitus. Always seems to be an underlay and I don’t think he is good enough.

LISA: Always a reliable board hit selection if you are so inclined to go deeper underneath.

SIERRA LEONE

BRIAN: My Derby favorite. Oh I was heart-broken… I missed the Super by a nose, and he hasn’t won since… That said, he’s still been right there every time, and has improved his figs…Will he be left with too much to do late? Will the track bias be against him? I can’t ignore him, and his ML is juicy, but he’s probably an underneath use for me…

GERARD: In many ways he is the forgotten horse and has never really run a bad race. Figures to get more pace to close into here and if runs straight he is not without a shot.

LISA: This guy, along with Ushba, will thrive past the retreating lead tier if City of Troy masters that bias. In addition, I believe that they still both retain advantage if he doesn't. Either way, you can't go wrong if you play the super.

ARTHUR'S RIDE

BRIAN: Likely pace-setter, and Motts are always very tough in here..., I think he’s going to see too much front end pressure… He won’t get to relax, or get away so I think I’m taking a stand against here… If he does win, it would be very bias-aided.

GERARD: Won the Whitney while loose on the lead but folded badly in the Jockey Club Gold Cup after being hounded by Highland Falls. The post position isn’t going to help him and the feeling is he may come under pressure again.

LISA: I feel exactly the same as Brian and Gerard. He's an excellent horse among a group of other excellent horses but within the context of the two scenarios, I feel Fierceness fits the bill if the wind blows that way.

NEWGATE

BRIAN: Stateside performance has been much better that his trip to Dubai.. His last in CA was a strong performance off a 6 month break, so could move forward… also could bounce off of that.. Hard to know, and can never count out Baffert especially in CA. Totally on the fence with him.

GERARD: Returned after a long layoff to finish a respectable third in the California Crown.He Figures to move forward for that run but I wonder if the blinkers will make him too aggressive. It's Baffert and Dettori so caution is advised.

LISA: Taking a stand against the horse even though he saddles up in his backyard with Franky aboard. I was never a fan and won't become one overnight.

NEXT

BRIAN: Cool horse.. winner of 9 of his last 10 since moving to the 11-12F distance… he is typically forwardly placed, which makes his outside post somewhat concerning… he also never has to expend the type of early energy that he will here to secure position, and he does not want to be back or wide… I’d love to use him, I just don’t know that he can get the trip he’ll need… Probably a pass for me.

GERARD: This is a very good horse but the distance is a little short for him. He will probably have to run faster than he ever has early on. If he drifts up in price he is useable but seems too short at 8/1.

LISA: Could you ever have imagined seeing M/L odds of 8 to 1 attached to this guy?! There would be no chance of disregarding that. I think he will adore that surface and I have a good mind to just completely spread him across the board, which I will probably do. If Troy lets loose, Next will thrive with him holding that stamina. If Troy caves, Next continues with the speed. He's covered both ways. Phenomenal talent at 8-1.

TOP FOUR (in no particular order) and LONGSHOT

BRIAN:

1. Forever Young

2. Sierra Leone

3. Fierceness

4. City of Troy

   LONGSHOT: Tapit Trice

GERARD:

1. Forever Young

2. Highland Falls

3. Sierra Leone

4. Ushba Tesoro

   CRAZY LONGSHOT: Mixto

LISA:

1. City of Troy

2. Fierceness

3. Forever Young

4. Next

   LONGSHOT: Sierra Leone