Pennsylvania Derby Day pick five picks and analysis

RACE 9: BOAT'S A ROCKIN gets back to sprinting on the turf, and this may well be his best game. He has an upset chance in the Turf Monster with a trip from just off the pace. NOTHING BETTER has speed but also has the ability to stalk the leaders and make one run. His recent Beyers clearly make him a threat. THAT'S RIGHT has the hedge and high speed and will look to steal it. He is certainly good enough with a clean getaway.

RACE 10: RUNNINSONOFAGUN has been on the improve in terms of Beyers for trainer John Toscano and should fall into a nice trip in the Gallant Bob, as he'll be looking to make the last run and there's a fair amount of speed in here. JELLY NOUGAT is an upgrade candidate after running against the race flow in each of his last two starts. WITTY turns back to a sprint and does seem to be at his best at one turn. NAKATOMI has been away since June, and that was his first start in eight months, but he's a threat here if ready for Wesley Ward.

RACE 11: SECRET OATH will be thrilled that she doesn't have to face Nest in this Cotillion Stakes, and the fact that she should get a better pace setup Saturday than she did in her last couple only adds to the appeal; expecting a big move forward in her third start off the layoff.

RACE 12: TAIBA was a very game second in the Haskell when last seen, prompting the early pace before taking back down the backstretch and then coming on strongly in the lane, just missing on the wire. He should be well-spotted from the start in this Pennsylvania Derby, stalking likely pacesetter We the People and in position to get first run on that rival.

RACE 13: BUY LAND AND SEE was off the board in his latest, but that was no easy trip, given the fact that he was pressing the pace from the start in a race that ultimately set up well for the closers. His resulting Beyer gives him strong credibility in this Alphabet Soup Handicap, but he still has room to improve with a better setup, as he has posted better figures than that in the past when able to work out more favorable trips.

THE PLAY: 1, 4, 7 / 6, 8, 9, 11 / 6 / 8 / 1 = $6 Ticket

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