I found this to be one of the trickiest races on the card, as you can build a solid case for most of the participants. I guess most people will view Munchkin Money (9) as the horse to beat given her superior speed figures, but I don’t want this horse at a short price. She’s really more of a 7-furlong specialist, even though she won that finale at Aqueduct last year going shorter. I think the speed figure of that last race came up a bit fast and her prior form doesn’t make her too formidable here. A few fillies exit a race at this level on July 21. I somewhat prefer La Naturel (5) over Conquest Tizfire (2) among the horses coming out of that race, but I generally want to search for new faces in this spot.

Sister Sophia (8) interests me as she turns back in distance. I thought she ran well going six furlongs two back, and I like that she’s finally putting races together. However, it’s hard to pick a deep closer like her in the top slot. Queen Mum (12) is another price that I want to use. She has the pedigree to be successful on turf and I think her grass debut last time may not be a true indication of her ability. She was put into the difficult position of having to chase a run-off leader, and she just got tired at the end. I think she may actually want to go shorter, and she deserves another chance on this surface.

I’m using both of the aforementioned fillies, but my top pick is A GREAT TIME (1). I want to see Ricardo Santana, Jr. blast off from the inside post position with this filly in an attempt to wire the field. This horse is a true 5 1/2 furlong turf sprinter and her best weapon is her speed. That was taken away from her last time when her rider inexplicably rated her off the pace. He ended up having to steady behind a tiring runner on the turn and lost all chance. I wouldn’t put too much stock in that performance. If she can get back to her first start off the layoff in May, in which she just got run down by the talented Fear No Evil, I think she’s a threat to beat this bunch. Mike Trombetta can be dangerous in these races and I think he comes in with a sneaky contender here.