I like an out-of-state invader in the second race: Illinois shipper My Mertie, the 4-1 third choice on the morning line. She raced on Polytrack for most of the summer at Arlington, where she won three races. And yet she is offering value, with bettors seemingly questioning her class as she comes from a seemingly softer circuit, as well as questioning her dirt ability.

Based on last year’s charts – when eight Arlington Park shippers won at Keeneland last fall from a fairly limited sample, led by six on dirt – she is an appealing prospect. In addition, her record is attractive, showing four wins on dirt early in her career.

It was not until this summer that she even won a race on Polytrack, scoring in her eighth start on the surface. That could reflect that she simply got into a groove in terms of form and not that she had any kind of affinity for a synthetic track.

Drawn in a position to save ground under regular Arlington rider Carlos Marquez, she looks like a gamble worth taking.

She is 6-1 with 18 minutes to post.

Of the favorites, Mannerly seems her leading rival, and is logically one to use with her in exotics.