Lake George StakesThis is as wide open a race as you will find. The filly who looks the most promising is the wonderfully-bred Lady Shakespeare. There are also a couple fillies in here who look like they will go off at a decent value (Mary's Follies and Strike the Bell), and then there is the crowd favorite, Shug McGaughey's Consequence. I could go on and on, but I will make a quick prediction. Kiawah Cat is trained by Mott and moves to the arms of Julien Leparoux. Leparoux is amazing on horses with her come-from-behind style.
1. Kiawah Cat
2. The Best Day Ever
3. Consequence
4. Lady Shakespeare
West Virginia Derby
It's hard to pick against Mine that Bird, especially in this field, but I have to say that the pace scenario is dead-against him. I will take a shot and pick the Canadian, Monty's Best, who is a really quality colt. He ran a great second in the Iriquois in his lone dirt start last year. Since then he has won both his starts back at 6 and 8.5 furlongs over Woodbine's Polytrack. He may be better on
conventional dirt, though, and his pedigree can stretch to the distance. He should do well sitting right off Big Drama and Soul Warrior and out sprinting Mine That Bird to the wire.
1. Monty's Best
2. Mine That Bird
3. Big Drama
4. Soul Warrior
Diana Stakes
It will take something huge to stop Forever Together from winning this race. Rutherienne may go to Monmouth to avoid her, and Criticism would have to set a :52 half on firm turf to win this over the Champion. Look for the other Clement filly to run well, also.
1. Forever Together
2. Rutherienne
3. Criticism
4. Carribean Sunset
Jim Dandy Stakes
Charitable Man gets a pace set-up and distance that fit him. He's a talented horse and if he's right, he wins this- no matter how good Kensai is getting. The six pound distance between Warrior's Reward and Kensai will come into play, though, and Convocation is improving
quickly enough to make some noise.
1. Charitable Man
2. Warrior's Reward
3. Kensai
4. Convocation
