Royal Squeeze beat Garter And Tie to win last year’s renewal but faces stiffer competition this time including Last Judgment. Todd Pletcher’s charge won nicely here before disappointing in a stakes race behind third-placed He Hate Me though the latter has yet to win over today’s trip. That comment also applies to Noble Drama, who just got the better of Red Crescent in stakes company here before struggling when shipped over to Tampa last time while With Verve faces a tougher task than when scoring over 6f here in February. NETWORK EFFECT hasn’t had much racing since placed in Graded races as a two-year-old but has won since and will be sharper for a recent comeback. Irad Ortiz picks-up the ride and Chad Brown’s yard is in red-hot form.
Last Judgment (USA) 13-5 (8-6) 2-path turn, no factor, 8th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Vekoma (8-6) at Gulfstream 7f stks fst in Mar.
Network Effect (USA) 2-1fav (8-9) Clip heels st, gamely, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Wind Of Change (8-9) at Gulfstream 1m fst in Mar.
Garter And Tie (USA) 18-1 (8-8) Never a factor, 7th of 10, 12l behind Vekoma (8-6) at Gulfstream 7f stks fst in Mar.
Red Crescent (USA) 16-10fav (8-10) Vied,game,edged late, 2nd of 7, hd behind Noble Drama (8-6) at Gulfstream 1m 1f stks fst in Jan.
He Hate Me (USA) 9-2 (8-8) Bid 3pth top str, wknd, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Vekoma (8-6) at Gulfstream 7f stks fst in Mar.
Noble Drama (USA) 17-2 (8-8) 3wd btw, retreated, 6th of 8, 15 1/2l behind Trophy Chaser (8-6) at Tampa Bay Downs 1m stks fst in Mar.
Royal Squeeze (USA) 13-2 (8-9) Pace,collared near3/16, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Mihos (8-9) at Gulfstream 7f fst in Apr.
With Verve (USA) 18-1 (8-8) Swung out, up widest, won at Gulfstream 6f stks fst in Feb beating Shivaree (8-10) by shd, 7 ran.
