Kevin Cox' Selections And Analysis (2024)

Just about a break even day for us here yesterday, with a three bagger, an Ice Cold $25 Double, a cold $30 Exacta, and a successful Beatable Favorite.

Today's Beatable Favorite(s): Race 6 - #2 Unit Economics

Please visit the Old Friends at Cabin Creek website ( by clicking the image to the left ) and consider helping out, as every little bit counts! I want to thank those that read my column, and have recently opened up accounts as a result of their fondness for what they see here. If you have any questions at any time, you can reach me on Twitter @brooklyncowboy1.

I'd like to leave this bit of info here for y'all. When we're using the DRF Formulator platform while writing our columns, if we say "Sprints", for the most part we mean any one turn race, and when we say "Routes", we mean any TWO turn race. ( For example, we consider a 1 1/8th mile race at Belmont an elongated sprint, and a 6 1/2 furlong race at a Charles Town a route. ) We feel this way, because in our eyes, it's the number of turns that necessitate more energy than being relaxed on a straightaway. Sometimes the sample size for our study can be too large to manually break down, so there may be a few from one category in another, but usually the end result is pretty much the same. Additionally, when it comes to layoffs, we consider more than 50 days in a dirt to dirt scenario a layoff, more than 58 days in D to T or T to D a layoff, and more than 67 days in a turf to turf deal a L/O. Furthermore, if we amend our selections for a wet track, and the track becomes fast, our original selections are in play.

#2 SORORITY PRANK appears to have gotten his confidence back after being dropped in for a tag back in March. Gelding placed that day, and then closed out the triple in both starts afterwards after being hiked up to this level by the new connections. Makes all kinds of sense, and should be no worse than third for all of you show grinders out there. #3 TINEBAR has some nice bloodlines for today's debut, totes along a hefty Tomlinson figure of 381, and is displaying a crisp bullet from up at Oklahoma 5 days ago. Could be any kind. #6 IRON MAN IRA has improved over each passing start, and most definitely should be left in the mix given the solid placings of late.

#5 DARK DEVIL showed some nice improvement in his first start to the followup, and now drops a handful of pegs while catching a glib surface for the second time. Sensible selection. #1 REMEMBER THE CHIEF has undergone a barn change since besting only one a bit over a month ago, and the first thing Carlito does is have blinkers affixed in an effort to give this one some more early speed. $10,000 auction purchase seems properly spotted entered for a tag for the first time, and deserves a chance to make amends with a switch to Franco. You can feel free to throw an upward shower alongside the speed figures of #3 GUILE. Three year old seems to be figuring it out as he goes along, and is now protected against the claim while receiving the wonder drug for the first time.

#3 NEXT ON STAGE appears to be the clear speed of this deal, and although she goes over the turf for the first time today, we see that her second best Beyer was on the poly, which often translates to the green stuff. Recognize that the only second off the layoff attempt yielded a going away wire to wire win on the main, and is a threat to do the same once again today. #6 HIGHWAY HARMONY outran her odds quite nicely when completing the triple in her initial turf route three weeks back, and surprisingly has been put up for sale today off of that effort. You'd have to think all systems are go, as this gal may end up in another barn after the race. #4 SOCA has been beset by back-to-back L/O lines after each of her outings, but scored in one of them, and has some decent pedigree for today's turf bow. OFF TURF: 8-9-4-5-3 NOTE: AS OF 10:09, DUE TO TWO LATE SCRATCHES, #'S 8 & 10 WILL BE OUR SECOND AND THIRD CHOICES RESPECTIVELY.

These three and no more for all our rolling action. #3 REYNOLDS CHANNEL positively immolated baccala down in Louisville last month, and appeared to have no palpable excuse for such. The good news though, is Mott wouldn't get Johnny to ride unless he was sure the horse was eligible to rebound. Will lean this way, but try to demand a touch of value. #5 MILITARY ROAD has yet to finish off the board, and goes two turns for the second time. That last part is of some relevance, as his finest performance to date came when doing such two back. 1-2-3 player for sure. #4 TIME OUT has blinks added after an honest enough showing down in Churchill, and uncoupled barnmate with our top selection should be in the thick of things once again.

#1 VOLEUSE enters this affair off of back to back career best numeros, and the four of nine local ark stands out against her oh fer nine record otherwise. Mare is but a neck shy of shooting for five straight today, and is supported by a solid DRF Formulator stat. Over the last 60 months, 15% Rudy Rod more than doubles that batting average with his locally based optional sand sprinters who scored 10 to 50 days in the rear at 7-1 or less ( $2.48 ROI ). It's good to see Romero putting up some solid numbers this year. #5 ATHENA BEACH is a win machine, as this lady has gotten her photograph taken in five of seven calls to the post. Not bad for a $1,000 bred animal, heh ? #4 JACKON'S DIXIE is another one with a penchant for picking up the lion's share, and as she won this race last time out, how could we possibly dismiss?

#9 FINAL EDITION closed with a flourish to pick up 20% of the pot in his local debut, and while we feel it could be a bit of a misnomer to assume that closing sprinters will appreciate going two turns, the family tree tells us that the transition shouldn't be too difficult. #3 KICK A BUCK ( a line used during the poker game in 'Cool Hand Luke' ) returned off a bit of a freshening to finish an even fourth versus similar type, and can move forward a bit with that comebacker under his girth strap. #4 THEN outperformed his parimutual expectations when completing the triple at 17 -1 on May 19th, and expensive auction purchase could fair even better with an alert onset. OFF TURF: 7-4-1-11(AE)-2 BEATABLE FAVORITE: #2 UNIT ECONOMICS fills the bill, as Brown is 0-9 with maiden special weight sod stayers who hit the board 28-74 days ago, and are getting blinkers for the first time.

#5 COLLOQUIAL gets his working papers this afternoon, and right off the bat we like the fact that he went for 16X the stud fee at Keeneland last year. The work tab is honest enough, and both siblings to race have been victorious on the dirt. From a limited sampling, barn is two of four with those fitting all this exact criteria ( any age ), with the winners paying $22 & $10. #1 NUDGE is another firster with a decent family tree, and isn't facing much for today's lidlifter. #9 MY MITOLE chased throughout when finishing second in his overture, and with the 408 Tommy on display, the sky could be the limit with this one.

#11 CAPITAL GAL was smartly spotted up at Finger Lakes last time out, and ended up with a drawing away win versus slightly weaker. Barn having a nice meet thus far, and as this one has historically been a touch better on the green stuff than the brown, we can see a repeat as being well within reach. #10 MARCO T has yet to miss the board on firm ground, and who are we to rock that boat ? #8 QUICK POWER NAP completed the triple the only time she was in a second off the layoff try on the verde, and could be coming late with any pace to cut into. OFF TURF: 2-5-1-7-13(MTO)

#1 BELOUNI (FR) has partaken in the Exacta in 7 of 11 career starts, and draws snugly after the recent placing. Slimmist of margins in a race with no first draft eliminations. #2 RUSE takes the obligatory hike in class after besting A1X foes right here on the 18th of May, and today's helmsman has some solid familiarity with this one. #8 PAROS scored by a country mile in his one second off the bench engagement, and has won in one of his last two turf events, with the blemish having come just before a lengthy layoff. OFF TURF: 8-1-1A(AE)-3-11(AE) NOTE: AS OF 5:55 P.M. FRIDAY, WE ARE FLIP FLOPPING OUR TOP TWO SELECTIONS.

#2 BIG POND disappointed us a bit when finishing a non threatening second in the Vagrancy last out, but she does show a "Z" pattern from that afternoon, as she lost two and a half lengths from the quarter to the half before getting back more than six from that mark to the line. From a trainer stat point of view, Mott is a saucy 7:4-1-1-1 with Queens based graded dirt stock not getting Lasix who hit the board less than 50 days ago at 10-1 or less. The return on investment for that study is $3.48, and there is a subcategory of two for two when Junior is a board. One more chance. #1 APPLE PICKER has the sort of declining mark that we've grown to love over the years, and owns the type of running style that we like for seven furlongs. Will need to find a seam late. #8 SHIDABHUTI closed out the triple the only time she was in a third off the bench deal, and note that her finest work has come @ today's trip.

#9 LATEST EDITION returned off an elongated sabbatical to make every call a winning one up in Canandaigua County a week and a half ago, and that could set this lightly raced 5 year old up nicely for today's return to the gramma. Interesting to see Johnny V. stick around until Race 11 for this one. #2 FANCY PANTS JULIANA gave her backers a little bit of a thrill when finishing second at 22 to 1 two fortnights back, and as she has yet to finish out of the superfecta on the lawn, we'd be remiss in excluding. #6 KAN'T CALL IT went all the way in her first try on the turf, and while a bounce is always possible with that win off a hibernation, we'd be silly to leave out, given the connections. OFF TURF:2-4-6-8-10

Aqueduct Spring/Summer: 44-157 ( $312.80 ) Beatable Favorites: 2-6 ( 33.3% ) Favorite's Win %: 63-157 ( 39.7% )

Saratoga Spring ( Final ): 7-47 ( $31.20 ) Beatable Favorites: N/A Favorite's Win %: 19-47 ( 40.4% )

Aqueduct Spring( Final ): 28-136 ( $278.70 ) Beatable Favorites: 1-10 ( 10% ) Favorite's Win %: 57-136 ( 41.9% )

Aqueduct Winter ( Final ): 85-377 ( $616.70 ) Beatable Favorites: 5-16 ( 31.3% ) Favorite's Win %139-377 ( 36.9% )

All Triple Crown, Breeders' Cup, Selected Grade 1's and Travers full days ( These are also counted in the "Dirt Tracks" category ): (2013-2023 Final ) 83-496 ( $779.60 )

Polytracks 2013-16 (All Final): 85-568 ( $819.20 ) Dirt Tracks 2013-24 (All Final):4175-20340 ($34,492.10) +/-: -15% against a 16.1% takeout

Beatable Favorites : 460-1716( 26.8% )Favorite's Win %: 7684-20491( 37.5% )

Cumulative Stats (All Final): 4195-20955 ( $35,442.60 )Beatable Favorites : 470-1762( 26.7% )Favorite's Win %: 7827-21077( 37.1% ) +/-: -15.4% against a 16.7% takeout

Happy Father's Day !!

Today's Beatable Favorite(s): Race 7 - #3 Reserve Currency Race 9 - Reeves Entry

Please visit the Old Friends at Cabin Creek website ( by clicking the image to the left ) and consider helping out, as every little bit counts! I want to thank those that read my column, and have recently opened up accounts as a result of their fondness for what they see here. If you have any questions at any time, you can reach me on Twitter @brooklyncowboy1.

I'd like to leave this bit of info here for y'all. When we're using the DRF Formulator platform while writing our columns, if we say "Sprints", for the most part we mean any one turn race, and when we say "Routes", we mean any TWO turn race. ( For example, we consider a 1 1/8th mile race at Belmont an elongated sprint, and a 6 1/2 furlong race at a Charles Town a route. ) We feel this way, because in our eyes, it's the number of turns that necessitate more energy than being relaxed on a straightaway. Sometimes the sample size for our study can be too large to manually break down, so there may be a few from one category in another, but usually the end result is pretty much the same. Additionally, when it comes to layoffs, we consider more than 50 days in a dirt to dirt scenario a layoff, more than 58 days in D to T or T to D a layoff, and more than 67 days in a turf to turf deal a L/O. Furthermore, if we amend our selections for a wet track, and the track becomes fast, our original selections are in play.

#2 I'M BUZZY is an extremely consistent gal, as this brown mare has amassed four wins and three showings over her last septet. 5 year old positively adores it here, and you can feel free to upgrade the most recent, as she's historically a bit better over a glib surface. Positive jockey change in play as well. #6 SHE'S AWESOME shoots for the grand salami today, and despite the mandatory hike in class after the recent purchase, we would say it's well within reach giving her perfect mark at today's distance of ground. #5 ICY REPLY has proven to be an excellent claim by Jimmy Ferraro, as this lady has earned a bunch of checks since the purchase 15 months ago. Solid win last time out, and can fare well once again with a slight drop in class. NOTE: AS OF 11:44, DUE TO A LATE SCRATCH, THE #1 WILL BE OUR 3RD SELECTION.

#6 GUN MAESTRO went coast to coast like butter and toast in his last pair, and although he faces open platers for the first time this afternoon, it's basically a similar class level; given his nice mark at today's trip, the hat trick is very doable. #7 CANDY TYCOON drops a tad after an honest placing 22 days in the rear, but we're not digging 2-1 here so we'll leave him beneath. #4 HOLDTHEFLIGHT has been kept in prison since the May 2nd purchase, & is halved in price for today's comebacker. Connections need a win to show a profit should another claim ensue, but it would behoove you to take a gander at this one during the warmups.

#4 FREESDALE has been freshened up a bit since splitting the field in a state bred stakes event back in April, and that heat has proven to be a key one, as three or four comebackers found their way into the winner's circle afterwards. There was an average Beyer improvement of 11.5 points per, and as this one is just as decently bred for the green as the brown, we're going to hope he can get back to that debut. #5 BUSTIN AWAY has been perfect in three starts to date, and has improved in the speed figure department along the way as well. 8-1 seems extremely generous here given the paucity of proven turf sprinters signed on, and this one has nice bloodlines for such. #1 THE BIG TORPEDO has completed the exacta in both sod starts, and cuts back from two turns to one this afternoon. OFF TURF: 8-7-2-3-1

These three and no more for all your rolling action. #3 FOCUS POCUS has the eye cups removed for the first time in today's third start off the L/O, and as she's yet to miss the money, seems to be a sensible selection -- especially with the addition of Flavor Flav in the irons. #4 GRANADILLA is another one in a third of the bench spot, and being she's closed out the exacta in her last duet, who are we to rock that boat? Should be no worse than third for those who like to grind out of show profit. #5 WELCOME BACK BABE has yet to finish in the first half of the pack, but may perk up in today's second start off the bench while having blinkers affixed for the first time. Recognize that the jockey trainer combination fare better together than apart.

#1 LA SALVADORENA down the lane. #9 COIF played the fade first time out, but given the connections you'd have to think this one is eligible to improve today. #8 DANCING DEAN has been beset by back to back L/O lines to begin her career, showed a flash of ability when trying the turf for the first time back in the fall, and is an obvious factor if fully cranked up OFF TURF: 4-2-6-5-1

We don't have the best of reads on this deal, so tread lightly. #7 BEAUYS (IRE) was an even fourth place finisher down in Louisville at the end of May, and now returns to the locale of one of his finest efforts, as he was a lively and dead game running up finisher right here earlier that month. Irad sees fit to hop on, and he guided this one to a placing down in Hallandale Beach a couple of New Year's days ago. Mild choice. #2 MONDEGO returned off of 7 month break in the action to burn a bit of bread in finishing third in this exact spot on the 2nd of May but could step it up today with that under his girthstrap. #8 DRIPPING GOLD is one of two in second off the shelf spots, and could show some improvement this afternoon if able to get some clearance. OFF TURF: 3-1-4-10(MTO)-5

A couple of solid DRF Formulator statistics in play here, so let's get to them directly. #7 HARVARD has been kept in prison since the purchase 33 days back, and now returns at a dime less. That being said, Atras has won with half of his 16 locally based mid level sand starters who were bought 23 to 47 days in the past, and are ridden by today's jockey. The ROI for that survey was $2.87, and we like the value being offered here. #8 PINEAPPLE MAN is another one on the drop down, but both of his wins came right here, and barn is 6 of 12 with Aqueduct based dirt entrants at this level who crashed the fiesta 27 to 50 days back. The return on the investment for that study was more than $3.50, and you can upgrade the last speed figure given the fact that he's better on a fast track than one with moisture in it. #5 MR. SWAGGER ( dig it ) is up for grabs for the first time today, and lost by only a neck the only time he cut back from two turns to one. BEATABLE FAVORITE: #3 RESERVE CURRENCY NOTE: AS OF 11:48, DUE TO A LATE SCRATCH, THE #4 WILL BE OUR 3RD SELECTION.

#3 ASCENSION gets her working papers this afternoon, and aside from the decent worktab, is a half to a runner who owns a win and a placing from as many starts on the synthetic, which we feel translates well to the turf. Price play at double digit odds. #1 STREET VIEW has a few decent running lines on the resume', and outran her odds quite nicely when placing at 14 to 1 the only time she was first to load. #8 BEETS stretches out after a runnerup finish right out of the box, and could appreciate the added ground. OFF TURF: 6-2-12(MTO)-1-9

#9 SAMBURU (GB) is but 1 of 14 since arriving in the States, but the recent troika of speed figures is honest enough, and after the troubled onset in the most recent, w find it encouraging to see Ortiz hop on at 8-1. #3 OPERATION TORCH has never missed a superfecta finish, and has a win and a showing from as many heats at this dx.. #8 SCRAMBLE picked up the lion's share the only time he was in a true second off the bench deal, and we have no problem including in this wide open nightcap. BEATABLE FAVORITE: REEVES ENTRY OFF TURF: 8-1-5-3-13(MTO)

Aqueduct Spring/Summer: 46-168 ( $329.30 ) Beatable Favorites: 3-7 ( 42.9% ) Favorite's Win %: 69-168 ( 41.1% )

Saratoga Spring ( Final ): 7-47 ( $31.20 ) Beatable Favorites: N/A Favorite's Win %: 19-47 ( 40.4% )

Aqueduct Spring( Final ): 28-136 ( $278.70 ) Beatable Favorites: 1-10 ( 10% ) Favorite's Win %: 57-136 ( 41.9% )

Aqueduct Winter ( Final ): 85-377 ( $616.70 ) Beatable Favorites: 5-16 ( 31.3% ) Favorite's Win %139-377 ( 36.9% )

All Triple Crown, Breeders' Cup, Selected Grade 1's and Travers full days ( These are also counted in the "Dirt Tracks" category ): (2013-2023 Final ) 83-496 ( $779.60 )

Polytracks 2013-16 (All Final): 85-568 ( $819.20 ) Dirt Tracks 2013-24 (All Final):4175-20340 ($34,492.10) +/-: -15% against a 16.1% takeout

Beatable Favorites : 460-1716( 26.8% )Favorite's Win %: 7684-20491( 37.5% )

Cumulative Stats (All Final): 4195-20955 ( $35,442.60 )Beatable Favorites : 470-1762( 26.7% )Favorite's Win %: 7827-21077( 37.1% ) +/-: -15.4% against a 16.7% takeout

Today's Beatable Favorite(s): ( Odds not posted as of 10:33 P.M. Saturday )

Please visit the Old Friends at Cabin Creek website ( by clicking the image to the left ) and consider helping out, as every little bit counts! I want to thank those that read my column, and have recently opened up accounts as a result of their fondness for what they see here. If you have any questions at any time, you can reach me on Twitter @brooklyncowboy1.

I'd like to leave this bit of info here for y'all. When we're using the DRF Formulator platform while writing our columns, if we say "Sprints", for the most part we mean any one turn race, and when we say "Routes", we mean any TWO turn race. ( For example, we consider a 1 1/8th mile race at Belmont an elongated sprint, and a 6 1/2 furlong race at a Charles Town a route. ) We feel this way, because in our eyes, it's the number of turns that necessitate more energy than being relaxed on a straightaway. Sometimes the sample size for our study can be too large to manually break down, so there may be a few from one category in another, but usually the end result is pretty much the same. Additionally, when it comes to layoffs, we consider more than 50 days in a dirt to dirt scenario a layoff, more than 58 days in D to T or T to D a layoff, and more than 67 days in a turf to turf deal a L/O. Furthermore, if we amend our selections for a wet track, and the track becomes fast, our original selections are in play.

We positively LOVED that they originally scheduled a Steeplechase race during Belmont week ( which unfortunately was washed out ), as we've been a big supporter of the program throughout the years. In today's homage' to Beverly Steinman -- a grand dame' of the sport -- we're going to give the nod to#2 GORDON'S JET (IRE). This one has tried to run sans jockey in the last pair, but that's not completely legal, so will give it another whirl this afternoon beneath somebody that we're not too familiar with. Given the outfit, we have no qualms in using at what should be a good offering. #4 JIMMY P has been grizzly in the last pair, but we like to be forgiving of pre and post layoff running lines, as perhaps something went slightly awry before the break, and perhaps they weren't fully geared up afterwards. That being said, he had a game placing in his lone start up here last year, and is a factor of sound and fully cranked up. #5 RAMPOLDI PLAN was an impressive winner of the Commonwealth Cup, and discount any Leslie Young runner at your own peril.

We don't have the best of reads on the second half of today's traditional Early Daily Double, but will lean towards #7 MO PLEX. This January foal has a maturity advantage on those who have yet to race, and aside from drawing ideally, has been working quite well up at Oklahoma. All three members of the family tree who made it to the races scored at first asking, and he needn't be much in this spot. #6 MAN FROM MALTA played the fade in the lidlifter, but got smacked around a bit at the onset that day and catches a glib surface for the first time this afternoon. #3 OUT ON BAIL nearly made every call a winning one in the May 10th overture, and the loan returnee from that affair got the job done when next in action, improving 25% in the speed figure department.

#3 CINDERELLA'S CAUSE was a well beaten but decently clear runnerup in an identical spot 39 days in the rear, and after being claimed that day, ( and out of jail today ) returns back at that same level. Chestnut mare has done exceptionally well at today's distance of ground, and found the line first the last time she was beneath today's pilot. Should be no worse than second for all you place punters out there. #6 KHALI MAGIC has been a popular item at the claim box, as she's had to leave a forwarding address after her last three starts, and five of her last seven. $1,500 bred animal has earned well over half a million dollars thus far in her career, and given the speed and recent tally, they'll likely have to grab her by the tail to catch the glory. #5 RACING COLORS may plod along for a piece.

#8 JUST MARYANN hasn't been seen since merely splitting the field down in Hallandale Beach back in mid February, but gets her third different trainer in her last three outings, and this shotcaller has won with half of his eight turf routers making their first start in his barn, off breaks of a month or more. The winners in that sampling came back $8 x 3 & $30, and missy could be sitting on a good one. #1 JUST DENY has been a steady if unspectacular sort thus far in her career, but makes her third start off the sabbatical today, and gets off the rail a bit. Completes a very just exacta. #5 PAST TENSE has yet to miss a superfecta, and who are we to rock that boat? OFF TURF: 10(MTO)-9-4-7-1

#1 SMOKIN' HOT KITTY set the early pace and then faded late in the game when going over the green stuff last time out, and is promptly switched back to the main today, which is fine by us. She completed the Exacta the only time she went from green to brown, and has won her last duet on a fast track. #5 WALK WITH ME was a bit flat last time out, but perhaps that could be attributed to getting roughed up a little bit at the start. Back on a fast track this afternoon, and good guy Duggan is three of six with Aqueduct based allowance dirt stock who missed the money 32 to 50 days in the past, that are 18 to 1 or less. The payouts for that survey was $7, $5, and $17, and today's jock has a win for this outfit. #6 CHASING DAYLIGHT nearly won this race last time out, so right off the bat must be included because of that. As an aside, Rudy Rod is three for eight with runners of this ilk who crashed the party less than 50 days back at 8-1 or less, with payoffs of $6, $7, and $8.

#7 BEN'S SUNNY ISLAND was shipped down to Wilmington for her return engagement, and after showing very little that day, is switched back over to the verde. Triple-R has a win and a one length defeat the only times he had this one transition from dirt to turf, and it's good to see young Katie picking up rides for bigger and newer barns. #3 LACONIA has been extremely consistent over her last quintet, and iis confidently shipped up the turnpike for this. #10 LINARITE came from the back of the pack to get up in time in her only third off the bench jammie, and as that was her sole win from 14 starts to date, we'd be silly to leave out. OFF TURF: 5-10-2-11-1

#9 NEIGH JUDE is a lightly raced four year old, but makes her second start after an absence here, and Breen gets the green with his maiden claiming gals who were 1-2-3 20 to 49 days back and are in receipt of Lasix today. He is 9:6-1-2 with that sort, and has an ROI of $4.07. #5 GOING FOR GLORY showed a career best effort when returning off a four and a half month break to pick up the place pot last out, and while a regression is always possible in a second time wonder drug scenario, keep in mind that she also now gets blinkers for the FIRST time. Can't fault those taking a favorable view in this weak field. #3 LA INDECENTE takes the biggest drop in the game here, and may have needed the most recent which was likely a prep.

#8 TOWHEAD put forth an honest effort in off the turf event about six weeks back, and we're surprised it took her this long to get back on the green stuff, as she's done quite well over it. Jockey/Trainer combination fare much better together than apart, and we'll give this one a meek nod. #6 ALLURING ANGEL has been beset by three consecutive layoff lines, but outfit knows how to have them ready for the returns, and this one gets the Big L for the first time. Chance to land a share with the back class. #8 SWOOP TO FINISH has been a part of the super in her last four starts going over the blades, and would be no surprise. OFF TURF: 4-2-12(MTO)-6-10(MTO)

#3 THE PADDOCK PASTOR showed some improvement from a speed figure aspect when facing winners for the first time at the end of April ( never an easy thing to do ), and despite burning a little bit of bread that day, Ortiz sees fit to stick around for today's second off the shelf deal. Slight edge. #6 LAUREL VALLEY went coast to coast like butter and toast the only time he was in a third off the bench heat, and has never missed a superfecta finish beneath today's helmsman. #9 SONIC SPEED is two of four in second off the layoff turf spots, and gets a Hall of Famer back in the saddle today. OFF TURF: 3-1-4-11-5

Aqueduct Spring/Summer: 41-148 ( $297 ) Beatable Favorites: 2-5 ( 40% ) Favorite's Win %: 59-148 ( 39.9% )

Saratoga Spring ( Final ): 7-47 ( $31.20 ) Beatable Favorites: N/A Favorite's Win %: 19-47 ( 40.4% )

Aqueduct Spring( Final ): 28-136 ( $278.70 ) Beatable Favorites: 1-10 ( 10% ) Favorite's Win %: 57-136 ( 41.9% )

Aqueduct Winter ( Final ): 85-377 ( $616.70 ) Beatable Favorites: 5-16 ( 31.3% ) Favorite's Win %139-377 ( 36.9% )

All Triple Crown, Breeders' Cup, Selected Grade 1's and Travers full days ( These are also counted in the "Dirt Tracks" category ): (2013-2023 Final ) 83-496 ( $779.60 )

Polytracks 2013-16 (All Final): 85-568 ( $819.20 ) Dirt Tracks 2013-24 (All Final):4175-20340 ($34,492.10) +/-: -15% against a 16.1% takeout

Beatable Favorites : 460-1716( 26.8% )Favorite's Win %: 7684-20491( 37.5% )

Cumulative Stats (All Final): 4195-20955 ( $35,442.60 )Beatable Favorites : 470-1762( 26.7% )Favorite's Win %: 7827-21077( 37.1% ) +/-: -15.4% against a 16.7% takeout