Sprinters will get their chance to bid for an expenses-paid spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Sept. 27 at Belmont at The Big A when a field of nine squares off in the $200,000 Vosburgh Stakes (G3).
Though the seven-furlong Vosburgh is an eighth of a mile longer than the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), it has produced two World Championships winners since 2022 in 2023 Horse of the Year and two-time Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Cody's Wish and 2022 and 2023 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) victor Elite Power .
1. Scotland: Turned in a strong second to division leader Book'em Danno in the Forego Stakes (G1). Was second in last year's Vosburgh and could take a step forward here.
Jockey: Junior Alvarado; Trainer: Bill Mott
2. Nash: Has not run since finishing sixth in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes (G2). A return to top form would make him a player in this field.
Jockey: Flavien Prat; Trainer: Brad Cox
3. Super Chow: Returns to graded stakes company but seems a notch below the top runners in this field.
Jockey: Madison Olver; Trainer: Jorge Delgado
4. Doc Sullivan: Closed for fourth in the Forego. New York-bred should like the distance and could be a factor if he moves forward off that try.
Jockey: Joel Rosario; Trainer: John Ortiz
5. The Golden Gorilla: Was second in a Gulfstream Park sprint stakes in his stakes debut. Probably bounced off a big prior win and could be a threat if he returns to peak form.
Jockey: Jose Morelos; Trainer: Jena Antonucci
6. Baby Yoda: The 7-year-old favorite of "Star Wars" fans was claimed last time for $100,000 after running 30 times since 2021 for trainer Bill Mott. On his best day, he could be a top pick, but it's been more than a year since his last stakes win.
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.; Trainer: Robert Falcone
7. Light the Way: Has been effective in allowance optional claiming races but will find the going tougher here.
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche; Trainer: Linda Rice
8. Patriot Spirit: Deserves a close look. Exits a solid seven-furlong stakes win at Colonial Downs and is training in lightning-fast fashion for the race.
Jockey: Javier Castellano; Trainer: Michael Campbell
9. Crazy Mason: Stone-cold closer hit the starting gate at the break and then closed fast to finish third in the Forego. Won the Carter Stakes (G2) here in April and is highly capable of an encore performance.
Jockey: Manny Franco; Trainer: Gregory Sacco
THE PICK: Crazy Mason
LIVE LONGSHOT: Doc Sullivan
SUPERFECTA: 9-2-4-8