The Cigar Mile drew a full field of 12. Not bad for one of the last remaining major races on the 2023 calendar year.

The field looks competitive, and we’ll see how it shapes up and where we land.

Coastal Mission comes in in sharp form while stepping up in class. How those Charlestown races on the bull ring will translate to a one turn Aqueduct mile chute is anybody’s guess. He looks fast enough at first glance, but this is a big ask. I’ll pass.

Everso Mischievous will be one of the choices to win this off a hard-fought victory in The Forty Niner under similar conditions. He had an ideal trip that day while some of the ones he beat didn’t quite have things as sweet. He went for less that the stud fee of his top shelf sire so despite all the good efforts maybe there is a hole somewhere. I’ll try and beat him.

Senor Buscador is capable of a big race when in the mood. He is coming off some hard races where he was a tad over his head. I don’t see the one turn mile as his best game, nor do I view this as a good bounce back spot. Pass.

Cascais will have to improve significantly to contend let lone win, but he is in the right hands of Chad Brown to do just that. I believe he has a lot of talent and will at some point prove he belongs with this kind in these spots. If that turns out to be Saturday it will be a while until you get a price on this one like he will be in The Cigar again. I say he is live at a nice number. 

Dr Ardito is a nice horse who shows up often. That said he seems to be a cut below some of the better ones in here. I lean in other directions.

High Oak was good to The Tracking Trips members and Past the Wire TV watchers when he won the Saratoga Special at a big price when he was a two-year old. He never quite developed after that and while this may be his best distance and set up, he will have to prove it to me.

Three Technique is another who runs a big one when in the mood. He is getting more consistent and while I think there are some in here who can and will handle him, he does have the credentials and resume to win at his best.

Offaly Cool looks a cut below to me. He’d be a surprise and not a small one.

Castle Chaos looks in over his head.

Accretive has a nice draw, Irad, Chad, and is still getting better. Yes Everso Mischievous beat him last out but that was then, this is now, and he gets a better trip and set up here. He looks to me like he is sitting on his peak race to date, and I think that puts him in the winners’ circle of The Cigar.

Hoist the Gold can be scary at times. He is fast and may just like this one turn mile with Hall of Famer Johnny V at the controls. I would not knock anyone who landed here.

Pipeline never quite panned out like some thought he would. He is a pass here for me.