Goldencents won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby back in April over an extended mile. He was returning from a short break when runner-up over 6f last time and is a leading contender. Pants On Fire recorded his highest speed figure so far when beating Taptowne at Churchill Downs last month. But he'll have to do even better in this company, especially if VERRAZANO is back to his best. A disappointment in the Kentucky Derby, the latter was also below par at Saratoga in August. But he routed the field in a Grade 1 at Monmouth in between and Todd Pletcher's colt may just be good enough to overcome a wide draw if in the same mood today. Golden Ticket is better drawn and should give a good account. He makes more appeal than both Centralinteligence and Fed Biz on the Dirt, while Alpha's best run of the year came on a wet track at Saratoga, but the Godolphin colt is unlikely to get any rain here. The progressive Broadway Empire makes most appeal of the outsiders.
Golden Ticket (USA) 9-2 (8-7) 3wd into str,lost 3rd, 4th of 10, 7l behind Mucho Macho Man (8-7) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Hymn Book (USA) 6-1 (8-4) Brush brk, btwn foes, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Graydar (8-8) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m Grp 2 hcp (1) in Sep.
Brujo De Olleros (BRZ) 11-1 (8-3) Chased 3 wide, willing, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Graydar (8-8) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m Grp 2 hcp (1) in Sep.
Fed Biz (USA) 15-2 (8-9) 4wd into str,up late, won at Del Mar(USA) 7f Group 2 sks in Aug beating Goldencents (8-8) by 1l, 13 ran.
Broadway Empire (USA) 10-3 (8-12) Kept to task, won at Remington Park(USA) 1m 1f 3yo Grp 3 in Sep beating Cameo Appearance (8-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
Alpha (USA) 22-1 (9-0) Rated 2p to 1/4, tired, 6th of 8, 13l behind Ron The Greek (9-0) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) fst in Sep.
Holy Lute (USA) 11-2 (8-12) Bobbled, 6-7 wide, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Power Broker (8-12) at Indiana Downs(USA) 1m 3yo Grp 2 in Oct.
Centralinteligence (USA) 11-2 (8-12) Bumped start,no rally, 6th of 8, 8l behind Points Offthebench (8-12) at Santa Anita(USA) 6f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct.
Verrazano (USA) 16-10fav (9-0) 3w 1st, 3w 2nd, tired, 7th of 9, 7l behind Will Take Charge (9-0) at Saratoga(USA) 1m 2f 3yo Grp 1 (1) in Aug.
Pants On Fire (USA) 5-2 (8-9) 3 wide turn, driving, won at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) in Sep beating Taptowne (8-6) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Goldencents (USA) 7-5fav (8-11) 3wd into str,willingly, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Points Offthebench (8-12) at Santa Anita(USA) 6f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct.
Taptowne (USA) 7-5fav (8-12) Clear lead, yield late, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Bernie The Maestro (8-5) at Indiana Downs(USA) 1m 3yo stks in Oct.
Easter Gift (USA) 13-5 (8-4) Tracked pocket, empty, 5th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Graydar (8-8) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m Grp 2 hcp (1) in Sep.
