Well the gate should be full for what looks to be one heck of a horse race, even though the KYD winner has declared out early.  The Stevens (GII) has been won by some very talented horses, including last years winner, You Big Freak, who set the stakes record in the process.   The door seems wide open for Give Your All to be the one to beat here today.  Only a single blemish (if you want to call a third place finish a blemish) as he’s won five of six starts and has a four-race win streak going right now.  Gutsy win at SA last out in the Barrera (GIII), winning by a head in pretty quick time.  Goodness knows he will see challenges from all angles, but he just seems to have a nose for the wire and knows hot to win.

I’m going right next door in the gate and put Diplomatic Prince in the second spot here.  When last seen in April, he was knee-deep on the TC Trail, but after a tiring third in the BG Stakes (GI) at KEE, they backed him off and he’s been rested since.  he ran a bang-up race at the distance to kick off his ’16 season when third in the Swale Stakes (GII) at GP, and a similar effort should make him a tough foe.

Spanish Pedals is another that has a stirring race at today’s distance when he was headed late in the Bay Shore (GIII) at AQU.  He had the lead in that one but just couldn’t hold on; however, I think he’s getting better, training better and is ready to throw a tough effort here today.

I think you can bunch in Red Leaf, Grand Slam Hero, Lunar Blaze and Laffin Penny with some definite merit, which means we have the makings of a really good show.

Good luck to all of the entrants…

            Willie’s Green Card    7  /  6  /  4

Categories: Grade II