Wesley Ward sent out last year’s winner and is mob-handed this time represented by four guaranteed runners and all three reserves. But GOLDEN PAL stands out from the rest having been beaten a neck in the Norfolk at Ascot before making every yard in a prep race at Saratoga. He has the early pace to overcome a wide draw and winning partner Irad Ortiz stays loyal. Stablemate After Five was only caught close home by Second Of July in a Grade 3 at Belmont while Bodenheimer beat Cowan to land a Listed sprint here last month. Aidan O’Brien sends over Doncaster Listed winner Lipizzaner but Ubettabelieveit is preferred having also scored at Doncaster when landing the Group 2 Flying Childers. Mighty Gurkha has won twice on the all-weather for Archie Watson and is fitted with blinkers for this.
Mighty Gurkha (IRE) 9-2fav (9-1) Tracked leaders stand side, pushed along over 2f out, carried right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 27, 11 1/4l behind Just Frank (8-9) at Newmarket 6f stks (2) sft in Oct.
Windy City Red (USA) 16-1 (8-8) Stalked,2wd,willingly, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Amanzi Yimpilo (8-5) at Santa Anita 5f stks gd in Sep.
Lipizzaner (USA) 10-3 (9-1) Tracked leader, nudged along over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led 1f out, ran on well final furlong, won at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) hvy in Oct beating Just Frank (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
County Final (USA) 7-2 (8-10) 2w,3w ask1/4,willing, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Second Of July (8-8) at Belmont Park 6f stks gd in Oct.
Cowan (USA) 14-5 (8-6) Ins, 3w upr, gaining, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Bodenheimer (8-8) at Keeneland 5f stks gd in Oct.
Ubettabelieveit (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) In touch, headway approaching final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon edged right and joined, ran on, won at Doncaster 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep beating Sacred (8-12) by shd, 10 ran.
Momos (USA) 13-4 (8-8) Ins,ask3/16,nail late, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Second Of July (8-8) at Belmont Park 6f stks gd in Oct.
After Five (USA) 11-5fav (8-6) Brsh st,2w,fan 6w 1/8, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Second Of July (8-8) at Belmont Park 6f stks gd in Oct.
Bodenheimer (USA) 4-1 (8-8) Ins,kick clr1/4,lasted, won at Keeneland 5f stks gd in Oct beating Cowan (8-6) by 1l, 6 ran.
Into The Sunrise (USA) 9-2 (8-6) Kick clear upr,nomatch, 4th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Mutasaabeq (8-6) at Keeneland 1m stks gd in Oct.
Dirty Dangle (USA) 9-2 (8-8) Rail,angled 8th,fly by, won at Woodbine 5f stks gd in Sep beating Illegal Smile (8-6) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Second Of July (USA) 15-1 (8-8) 2w,idle upr,4w,upfin70, won at Belmont Park 6f stks gd in Oct beating After Five (8-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Golden Pal (USA) 9-20fav (8-6) Ins,3w upr,gear down, won at Saratoga 5f stks gd in Aug beating Fauci (8-10) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Blame The Booze (USA) 10-1 (8-6) Brk out,4-2p1st,wkn1/8, 9th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Mutasaabeq (8-6) at Keeneland 1m stks gd in Oct.
Amanzi Yimpilo (IRE) 13-5 (8-5) Bpd both sides st,game, won at Santa Anita 5f stks gd in Sep beating Wyfire (8-8) by hd, 9 ran.
Gypsy King (USA) 13-2 (8-8) 2w,ask into lane,wknd, 5th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Second Of July (8-8) at Belmont Park 6f stks gd in Oct.
Trade Deal (USA) 5-1 (8-8) Lacked seam str,check, 6th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Second Of July (8-8) at Belmont Park 6f stks gd in Oct.
