It gets harder to bet against the European shippers on the grass all the time. They come ready, shipping is not as difficult as it used to be, and there third stringers move up to second stringers here and that trend continues right up the ladder to Group or Grade 1 status.

I have always thought training up hill on heavier courses plays a big part in their fitness and success. I still believe that to this day. So here I am betting against a few of them Saturday in the Christophe Clement.

You must call it the way you see it. I think Minaret Station was finishing best of them all last out in the Bowling Green. When a horse goes a marathon for th first time they often lose that closing kick or at least some of the punch. Minaret Station did not and this time, the second at a marathon distance he should be stronger late.

In addition to the above, he should at least on paper get a better set up to close into. Ole Crazy Bone likely sets the pace again, but I think he can get some pressure from the shipper on the rail, and even Program Trading who comes in sharp. I think the race is competitive on paper, and there is not a lot of room for error if any at all, but I think this one goes to the last run and that should be Minaret Station.

I’ll be singling Minaret Station in the late multi-race wagers.