Things didn’t go to plan for ante-post favourite Mckinzie in his prep-race and he gets a change of rider having been beaten by 25/1 shot Mongolian Groom here in September with HIGHER POWER (NAP) behind. But the latter had a legitimate excuse having stumbled leaving the stalls and had won a Grade 1 at Del Mar before that by over five lengths with Mongolian Groom back in third. John Sadler’s colt is a tempting price in an open renewal. Vino Rosso passed the post first at Belmont last time but hampered Kentucky Derby runner-up Code Of Honor while doing so and the latter was awarded the race while last year’s fourth Yoshida found Mckinzie too good at Saratoga in August. Bill Mott also runs Elate, who has gone close at the highest level the last twice now and looks best of the rest having won all three previous attempts at 1m2f albeit in lesser company.
Math Wizard (USA) 30-1 (8-5) Angled wide,late surge, won at Philadelphia Park 1m 1f stks fst in Sep beating Mr. Money (8-10) by nk, 6 ran.
Seeking The Soul (USA) 11-1 (8-11) Stalked 3wd,weakened, 4th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Mongolian Groom (8-9) at Santa Anita 1m 1f stks fst in Sep.
Owendale (USA) 2-1 (8-12) 4w, strong drive late, won at Remington Park 1m 1f stks fst in Sep beating Sleepy Eyes Todd (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
War Of Will (USA) 33-10 (8-12) Dueled between, gamely, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Math Wizard (8-5) at Philadelphia Park 1m 1f stks fst in Sep.
Yoshida (JPN) 2-1fav (8-12) Bmpd btwn brk,pinched, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Preservationist (8-8) at Saratoga 1m 1f stks fst in Aug.
Elate (USA) 7-10fav (8-12) Led 1/8 3wd, gave in, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Blue Prize (8-12) at Keeneland 1m 1f stks fst in Oct.
Higher Power (USA) 16-5 (8-13) Stumbled start,held 3d, 3rd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Mongolian Groom (8-9) at Santa Anita 1m 1f stks fst in Sep.
Mckinzie (USA) 3-10fav (8-13) 3wd,bid 2wd,2nd best, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Mongolian Groom (8-9) at Santa Anita 1m 1f stks fst in Sep.
Mongolian Groom (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Inside duel,cleared, won at Santa Anita 1m 1f stks fst in Sep beating Mckinzie (8-13) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Vino Rosso (USA) 18-5 (9-0) Ins,out2w1/8,bump 3x, won at Belmont Park 1m 2f stks fst in Sep beating Code Of Honor (8-10) by shd, 5 ran.
Code Of Honor (USA) 2-1 (8-10) 3w 2nd,ask 3/16,bmp3x, 2nd of 5, shd behind Vino Rosso (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 2f stks fst in Sep.