It’s difficult to see past DORTMUND in this. Bob Baffert’s Grade 1 winner has come up against and was placed behind California Chrome in all three outings so far this year and meets nothing of that calibre today. Graded winner Gun Runner will be fancied by many to chase the likely favourite home having beaten both Texas Chrome and Tom's Ready earlier in the year and the latter has subsequently finished a couple of lengths ahead of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint hero Runhappy when scoring at Churchill Downs. Laura Wohler’s colt debuted over a mile on that occasion and still has plenty to prove over today’s trip but last year’s Godolphin Mile winner at Meydan, Tamarkuz, could run a big race given his second in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga in August. Both of Vyjack’s wins this year have been on Turf including last month’s Grade 2 success while Point Piper and Accelerate are harder to fancy.
Vyjack (USA) 17-4 (8-9) Came out str,up 3wd, won at Santa Anita 1m stks gd in Oct beating Om (8-11) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Tom's Ready (USA) 9-2 (8-6) Bid 3wd,cleared,held, won at Churchill Downs 1m stks fst in Oct beating Iron Fist (8-9) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dortmund (USA) 17-10 (8-9) Vied,stalked,2nd best, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind California Chrome (8-13) at Santa Anita 1m 1f stks fst in Oct.
Point Piper (USA) 17-4 (8-5) 4w upper, weakened, 4th of 5, 8l behind Anchor Down (8-5) at Belmont Park 1m stks fst in Oct.
Accelerate (USA) 9-10fav (8-10) Bid 4wd,drift in str, won at Los Alamitos Race Course 1m 1f stks fst in Sep beating Semper Fortis (8-10) by hd, 8 ran.
Texas Chrome (USA) 9-4 (8-12) 2w, angled in, driving, won at Remington Park 1m 1f stks gd in Sep beating Sticksstatelydude (8-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Runhappy (USA) 3-10fav (8-9) 3pth turn,weakened ins, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Tom's Ready (8-6) at Churchill Downs 1m stks fst in Oct.
Tamarkuz (USA) 14-5 (8-4) 3-2w pursuit, 2nd best, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Anchor Down (8-5) at Belmont Park 1m stks fst in Oct.
Gun Runner (USA) 5-1 (8-10) Wide lane, outfinished, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Connect (8-7) at Philadelphia Park 1m 1f stks fst in Sep.