There is not a lot of pace on paper, but at least the Red Smith, a long time NY turf marathon, has two horses with some early gas set to run. We all get frustrated by these turf races where all the riders seem to sit back and let one horse gallop around. In this one at least we have the possibility of Tide of the Sea keeping Channel Cat somewhat honest on the front creating a level field. We’ll see, it doesn’t always work out how it looks on paper.

Tide of the Sea breaks from the rail with Luis Saez up. All signs point to an aggressive ride from the bell so I have to think he will be on the pace from the jump. I don’t think he is the winner, but I think he is part of the pace and keeps Channel Cat in check.

Value Engineering is an improving Chad Brown horse and that is always dangerous. Dylan Davis replaces Javier Castellano and Dylan is riding in career form and will want to win for Chad big time. I don’t think he has the horse here, but he will get the best out of him.

Soldier Rising is where I land. His first two starts for Clement here in the US were both good. Last out he was very wide and lost too much ground to make up. Jose gets abord for the first time and I like the fit. I see a forward move and I believe that can be enough.

Serve the King is the one I feel Soldier Rising has to beat. He is a nice fit here and still has some upside in my opinion. At 4 for 10 he knows how to win, and Chad has him in his best form. He should be right in this.

Shamrocket will be coming late. He is honest and brings it every time, but I think he is a cut below a few of the others in here. He can get a piece, but I don’t think he will win.

Corelli is a price horse I think can get involved here if he brings his A game. I don’t know if he will as he is kind of an in and out type of horse. Even his best doesn’t make him the winner just gives him a shot, an outside shot.

Channel Cat adds blinkers which he has run with and won with before. He is classy and fast and someone like Tide of the Sea will have to force him to work some early. If not, he can be hard to handle.

Sanctuary City likes Aqueduct but looks in deep waters in this spot.

No Word might have a shot if he moves forward a bit which is not impossible. He has run races good enough to be competitive here. I don’t like him, but he would not surprise me if he ran well.

Price Talk is as good as he has ever been or better since claimed by Dutrow. He will have to show me he is this good, but he should get a jump on the deeper closers which can help. He’s no toss in my view.

I’ll go with Soldier Rising over a few in here for second. You probably know by now I do not reverse exactas, so I’ll be all in on this Clement runner.

Enjoy the races and make it count!