Starter Optional Claiming

Chart notes

WITT'S TAQUITO tracked three wide through the initial stages, started to run on from the five-sixteenths marker, got a head in front passing the furlong pole and held clear under steady handling and right handed urging. BROTHER REID never far back, tracked between horse in the second flight then got trapped behind horses turning in the stretch, found a seam and tipped out to the three path near the furlong pole and finished well under strong handling but was too late. THICK HAZE was held up near the back through the early running, saved ground to the far turn, swung four to five wide into the stretch and finished strong under steady handling to gain third. CLIFF DIVER tracked the lone pacesetter under a snug hold, launched a bid with three furlongs to run, pulled even approaching the quarter pole, finished gamely but was outkicked in the final yards. SHAMAYIM allowed to settle near the rear of the field, raced three wide down the backstretch, was put into a drive from the three furlong marker, finished willingly but found best stride too late. WILTON secured the inside while tracking the early pace up close under a light hold, got a good inside run through the far turn and loomed boldly turning for home, had clear run up the rail into the stretch, had every chance passing the furlong marker but was outfinished. PALUXY last early, bided time two deep down to the backstretch then started to gradually advance, went four wide into the turn and five wide into the stretch, ran on but was not good enough to threaten. SHOTSHELL was able to seize the early lead and slowed the pace down through the first half-mile, held sway when the pace quickened noticeably heading into the far turn, battled into the stretch then gave way with a furlong to run. COURAGEOUSLY got caught three to four wide passing the stands for the first time, continued to race wide for the entire trip and was unable to make an impact. FEDERAL HILL took up after the start when WITT'S TAQUITO took the path after the break, raced at the back of the field to the far turn, struggled to keep up as the pace quickened for the stretch run held position but was unable to improve.