It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you that BRICKS AND MORTAR (8) is a major threat in the Manhattan; he's in raging form and deserves to be the favorite for this race.

I'm a firm believer that ROBERT BRUCE (3) needs firm turf in order to show his best, and that's what he's going to get this afternoon. Robert Bruce has run over ground with give in it each of his past three races; his three prior tries in the United States were over firm turf, and he ran big each time. There's still time for the wagering to change some, but I think he'll stay close to his current price (7-1 with 24 MTP); I'd play him to win at odds of 4-1 or greater.