Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (UNION MAIDEN) (7-2) - This daughter of 'Union Rags' sold for $425,000 as a 2yo in training in March of 2019. Unraced last year, she debuted Feb 16 at Gulfstream Park. Bet down to 4-5 favoritism, she hit the gate at the break, had a wide trip, then improved late to miss by just over 2 lengths. Trainer Chad Brown has won with 49 of 191 (26%) 2nd time starters since Jan 1 of 2019 and this filly worked a fast half-mile at the Palm Meadows Center before shipping here.
2nd pick: #11 (Ocean Breeze) (4-1) - Nice debut April 19 at Oaklawn saw her away slowly from the rail on a very sloppy surface facing 11 rivals. She rushed up after the miscue, had some traffic issues, then tired to lose by 11 lengths in a contest where the Baffert trained winner score by just over 10. A very strong win candidate, she's working fast since and I could have easily made her the top selection.
3rd pick: #8 (Stripping) (6-1) - One of a pair of debuting fillies from the barn of Brad Cox, she appears to have out-worked her barn-mate, # 7-'Kinda Lucky' several times. A daughter of 'Tonalist', she drilled a bullet 5 furlongs from the gate in :59 flat at Keeneland and is dangerous if ready.
4th pick: #9 (Raison d'Etre) (6-1) - This daughter of 'Medaglia d'Oro' was bough by Godolphin for $825,000 in April of 2019. She debuts for Mark Casse, 17% first out, and enters off a near bullet half-mile from the gate here in :47.60 2nd best of 40 at the distance May 18.
5th pick: #3 (Magic Motion) (12-1) - This filly was away slowly and ran evenly debuting at Saratoga going 5.5 furlongs July 31. $325,000 daughter of 'Bernardini' has been in steady training for her come-backer and she breezed a quick half-mile here May 18.