I find it very hard to separate the two undefeated Chad Brown runners. I’m giving the slight edge to Digital Age (13) among the American contingent, though trips will likely decide who fares best. There are some concerns about this colt stretching out to 1 1/4 miles, but he’s handled every challenge thus far and has impressed me with each start. I loved the turn of foot he displayed in deep stretch of the American Turf, and that kind of acceleration should come in handy in a large, congested field like this. He also possesses more tactical speed than some of his rivals, so Irad Ortiz should be able to find a spot in mid-pack, whereas some others will have to pass almost the entire field.

That’s the major concern for a horse like Seismic Wave (3), who is a stone cold closer. He will lag at the back of the pack early and try to rocket past everyone in the lane. He just might be able to do it because he is quite talented and he has the right rider on his back. However, it’s still no small task to come from that far back in a race like this. He was getting to Demarchelier at the end of the Pennine Ridge last time, but that undefeated Brown runner dug in at the end when he felt Seismic Wave’s presence.

Demarchelier (12) is not quite as flashy as the two aforementioned colts, but he’s shown up with a good effort every time and just has a way of getting his nose down in front. He shouldn’t have any issue stretching out in distance and he figures to get the jump on Seismic Wave once again.

I’m using all three of these colts prominently, but my top pick is the European invader CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (9). He may not be the most likely winner, but I think he’s going to offer some value in this spot. Some handicappers will be turned off by his poor performance in the Hampton Court just 16 days ago, but I think he had a legitimate excuse that day. A great deal of rain had fallen during the middle of the week at Ascot, and he just didn’t seem comfortable striding out over the soft going in the stretch. He actually loomed as a threat with about 3 furlongs to go, but the demanding ground took its toll late. Prior to that, Cape of Good Hope had run very well to finish fourth in the Prix du Jockey Club. The top two finishers in that race seem like very nice 3-year-olds and Cape of Good Hope finished well clear of some good horses. He clearly handles the distance, and he has room to improve as a full-brother to multi-millionaire world traveler Highland Reel. I’ve been impressed by his rider Wayne Lordan, and I would love to see them hatch a plan that has this colt relatively close to what could be a moderate pace.

THE PLAY

Win: 9
Exacta Key Box: 9 with 3,8,12,13,14
Trifecta: 9 with 3,12,13 with 1,3,8,12,13,14