Late-running Set Piece holds slim edge in Baltimore/Washington Turf Cup

Set Piece returns to the scene of his last win when he faces a competitive group of older turf milers in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup at Pimlico.

Set Piece overcame a slow start and a moderate pace to capture the Grade 2 Dinner Party on Preakness Saturday at Old Hilltop.

The gelding then finished a troubled fifth as the favorite in Saratoga’s Forbidden Apple on July 15.

“Inner turf there, you have to be forwardly placed or have some speed,” said trainer Brad Cox.

“He had some traffic trouble late. Not certain he would have won, but I do feel confident he would have been second.”

Set Piece next placed fourth as the slight favorite in Churchill’s Arlington Million on Aug. 13.

“He was too far back, and the turf course seemed to be a little speed-favoring,” Cox said.

Cox is concerned about the potential lack of pace on Saturday.

:: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now!

“That’s always a concern,” Cox continued. “We can’t take his style away from him.”

Pao Alto, a Group 3 winner in France and Group 2 winner in Qatar, makes his stateside debut for Graham Motion. The gelding recently finished fifth in the Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud on May 8.

“He’s acclimated more and more,” said Motion. “When he first came over, it was very hot. The last month, he’s really done well.”

Although Pao Alto doesn’t show any published gate works, Motion said that he “popped” Pao Alto out of the gate. “I’d like to think he’ll break okay.”

Millionaire Field Pass won this race last year for trainer Michael Maker. The gray placed first via disqualification in Lone Star’s Texas Turf Classic two back, then finished a tired eighth in the Arlington Million.

Field Pass was cross-entered in Saturday’s Mint Million at Kentucky Downs but is expected to start at Pimlico. His excellent tactical speed gives him a strong pace advantage.

Trainer Chad Brown won this race with Projected in 2017. He sends out Public Sector and Sifting Sands in this year’s renewal.

A three-time graded winner in 2021, Public Sector is winless this year. He recently finished fifth as the favorite in Saratoga’s restricted Lure Stakes on Aug. 6.”

“I’ve mismanaged him a bit this year,” Brown said. “I entered him in races I never planned on going in. I compounded the problem by then running him back on short rest last time, which is not what he wants to do.”

Sifting Sands successfully went through his third-level allowance condition at Belmont Park two back, then finished second, beaten a head by Dynadrive, in the Lure at 1 1/16 miles.

“It certainly looks like a mile is going to be his distance,” Brown said. “I think anything farther than that is hard for him. He hangs a bit.”

Grade 3 winner Bizzee Channel was recently claimed for $50,000 by trainer Lacey Gaudet. His combination of back class and good tactical speed make him a longshot to consider.

Late-running English Tavern makes his graded stakes debut.