I think there are a few false favorites in this finale. I don’t really care for Smash Williams, who may go off as the public’s choice. He went the wrong way after his initial start at Belmont, and has not looked like the same horse at Gulfstream. I think this is a race in which we can get a bit more creative. Discreet Mission (11) is one that should be included. He’s not going to be a huge price, but he has run against much tougher fields since returning from the layoff and is finally getting the class relief that he needs.

I’m using him, but the horse that I want to bet at an attractive price is ZENATO (3). This horse ran deceptively well in his second start over the winter at Aqueduct, and then he put it all together two back in March, breaking his maiden over a relatively strong maiden claiming field. A number out of that 14-horse affair returned to improve in subsequent starts, whereas Zenato went to the sidelines. His recent start at Finger Lakes feels like merely a prep, as he was in a tougher allowance spot. Now he’s at the right class level, and this barn knows how to get a runner ready for the Saratoga meet.