Honor Up has been in fantastic form ever since switching into the care of Michelle Nevin, having reeled off three victories in four starts for this barn. While Nevin has obviously improved his overall condition, I think the turnback in distance has been the key to this runner’s success. Shorter distances between 6 1/2 and seven furlongs just seem to be ideal, as he possesses a much more potent burst of late speed going those trips. However, now he must stretch out to a mile, and this barn does not have the strongest numbers with horses trying to win back-to-back races in stakes. I respect this runner, but I think this may be the time to take a shot against him at a short price.

I prefer SYNDERGAARD (2), who crossed the wire just a head behind Honor Up in the Say Florida Sandy last time. Whereas Honor Up got to close into honest fractions that day, Syndergaard was the one involved in that pace, chasing three wide throughout. Rajiv Maragh still had plenty of horse when they turned into the stretch, and Syndergaard responded gamely once Honor Up issued his challenge. Ultimately, Syndergaard couldn’t contain the winner’s momentum, but he was battling on gamely through the wire, showing that same gritty determination that we saw in his Champagne effort so long ago. I believe this 5-year-old is finally getting back to top form, and I’m actually less concerned about him getting the mile, given his steady running style and newfound ability to stalk the pace. It remains to be seen if the main track is still playing to inside runners. If so, he may have to be aggressively used to secure the early lead from Stoney Bennett, who is drawn to his outside.

The other contender to consider is Twisted Tom (4), who appears to be the likely favorite. This runner's greatest asset is his stamina and I’m skeptical that he can reproduce his top form going a mile.

THE PLAY

Win: 2
Exacta Key Box: 2 with 1,4,6
Trifecta: 2 with 1 with 3,4,6