Thursday, May 21, 2026
BEST BET: RACE 1 THIS DUDES PERFECT
VALUE PLAY: RACE 4 WICKEDLY SMART
RACE 1
6-THIS DUDES PERFECT has really stepped up in last three races, huge mile from 8 post in 156.3, two races back 157.3 winner
1-ON THE VIRG has rail and has been very good in last 4 races
2-SWEET AND FAST N won from 5 post in 157, could be in battle for lead
RACE 2
1-FREEDOM’S PLAYBOY was parked most of the mile in his last race, was very good 3-5 races back
3-NIHILATED TRUTH won 2 races back in 158.4, home in 29.2
6-KIMANI N has raced okay at the $5000 claimer level
RACE 3
3-ALLIEVERDREAMEDOF has 156.1 third place finish on April 16
5-WIND BLAST solid 4th place in last race
1-ARNENIAN PRINCESS is searching for for last year’s form, can he find it?
RACE 4
1-WICKEDLY SMART finished behind BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP 2 races back, has rail advantage today
4-BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP beat VIVIE’S WISH by 2 lengths
6-VIVIE’S WISH Shane Tritton always does well here, finished behind BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP after setting moderate fractions, wish Lauren Tritton was driving
RACE 5
1-SHARP RAZOR was first over most of the mile vs PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER , draws the rail advantage, needs smarter drive
7-LISBON SEELSTER was 3 wide to PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER and just got up to beat SHARP RAZOR
3-COIN FLIP is always around, was beat soundly by LISBON SEELSTER
RACE 6
4-LEVI drops in class, has some strong miles
2-STAR ISLAND has been consistent all year, in the money 50% of the time
1-BEAST MODE has 3 third place finishes at this level
RACE 7
3-VINOVIO has extreme speed, last two races couldn’t carry the speed to victory , who is going to contest him today?
6-PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER races well from the pace, if fast fractions can win racing off the pace
1-LUKE SKYWALKER throw out last from 8 post, has been good at this level
RACE 8
4-ROCK DIAMOND N has been successful at $7,500 claimers at Saratoga
3-AIRY SHADOW has 2 big miles in a row, 157 winner in last race
5-MIKI DE VIE his last 3 races at this level has been good
RACE 9
6-SULLIVAN made an untimely first over move 2 races back and faded, switch in driver to Bruce Aldrich who won driving SULLIVAN in 156
5-CASHINCAM paced a pocket second to THISDUDESPERFECT, won in 157.3 on April 16
7-JUST A WRANGLER consistently hanging around, post hurts
RACE 10
4-CHOICE IS YOURS last race was impressive beating BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP, had bad post 2 races back, needs trip
5-THROUGH THE STORM won impressively in 157.3, needs trip
6-BULVILNANCYSLEGACY was third to THROUGH THE STORM but beat him 2 races back, needs trip, anyone of three horses can win this race with the best trip
BRIAN’S COMMENTS: Michael Merton continues to be the leading driver at Monticello with 138 wins at a 25.7 win rate
