THE FACTOR landed the Grade 1 Pat O'Brien on Polytrack at Del Mar in August over 7f and was long odds-on for the Ancient Title at Santa Anita last month but weakened very quickly once headed over that 6f trip. He doesn't look one to trust implicitly but Bob Baffert will have him right for this. The trainer also runs Irrefutable but he looks the second string. Wilburn won over an extended mile here in May and has gradually improved, comfortably beating Shackleford and Caleb's Posse in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park last month. Trappe Shot has been sprinting and has the widest of draws to overcome and though Tapizar has a victory at this track to his credit his overall form falls short of Grade 1 standard.
The Factor (USA) 2-5fav (8-9) Inside duel,weakened, 4th of 6, 6l behind Amazombie (8-7) at Santa Anita(USA) 6f 3yo stks in Oct.
Shackleford (USA) 11-10fav (8-12) 3pth 1/4,bid,no match, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Wilburn (8-12) at Hoosier Park(USA) 1m 3yo Grp 2 in Oct.
Tapizar (USA) 7-2 (8-6) Rated ins until 1/4, won at Belmont Park(USA) 7f clm stks in Oct beating Uptowncharlybrown (8-9) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Tres Borrachos (USA) 16-1 (8-7) Inside,dueled,wkened, 5th of 9, 6l behind Game On Dude (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f 3yo stks in Oct.
Wilburn (USA) 13-5 (8-12) Shot thru 1/4,drew off, won at Hoosier Park(USA) 1m 3yo Grp 2 in Oct beating Shackleford (8-12) by 5l, 8 ran.
Irrefutable (USA) 13-2 (8-7) 3wd into str,late 2nd, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Amazombie (8-7) at Santa Anita(USA) 6f 3yo stks in Oct.
Jersey Town (USA) 10-3 (8-7) Loosely stalk,no match, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Uncle Mo (8-5) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m flls hcp Grd 2 in Oct.
Caleb's Posse (USA) 2-1 (8-12) 3path 1/4, bid, weaknd, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Wilburn (8-12) at Hoosier Park(USA) 1m 3yo Grp 2 in Oct.
Trappe Shot (USA) 21-20fav (8-12) Bump after start, 3w, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Giant Ryan (8-12) at Belmont Park(USA) 6f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct.