The Woodbine Mike is always an interesting and competitive race and this year is no exception. Here are my thoughts and how I’ll play it.

#1 El Tormenta- Looks overmatched I’m here. Handles Woodbine and should appreciate some added ground over his most recent starts but looks up against it to win this.
#2 Lucullan- Has come back like a new horse. Always had some ability but is better than ever right now. If he handles Woodbine, and I suspect he will, I think he is your winner. The price won’t be 8-1 like the morning line but should be OK.
#3 Silent Poet- He is my second choice and the other horse I would use in any multi race wagers. He is game and improving and loves this course. Dangerous.
#4 Synchrony- Will have plenty of support here. Not mine. He is capable for sure but I don’t think he is peaking or sitting on a top race, two things I look for. Also a likely underlay.
5- Got Stormy- Coming off two monster efforts, I am looking for some regression in here. Taking a swing against the obvious favorite. Will be no surprise but I think he can be beaten.
6- Awesometank- A filly, albeit a good one against the boys, not my favorite angle. I’d need to see more from her. Not impossible but not for me in here.
7- Raging Bull- Is there such a thing as a third choice? Not really for me but if there was he would be mine in here. He has always had ability and class, and I think he is coming up to an A race or effort. That could be good enough if some of the others I lean to don’t fire. I’d use in multi race wagers on a spread ticket.
8- American Guru- Will be a price and should be, looks overmatched and would need a surprise career race to win this. I don’t see it.
9- Made You Look- Always tough to toss Chad Brown in any grass stake, but if it was easy everybody would be doing it, I can’t get here, he just does not look as good as some of the others regardless of connections.
10- Emmaus- May not win but I think he is sitting on one of his better or A races and that can put him close. I will use in exactas, triples, and superfectas in the second, third and fourth slots. Should be a big price.
11- Admiralty Pier- Another big price that can probably not win but can maybe sneak into the exotics. Another I would use in the back slots looking to make something happen.
The ones I think are the win contenders are Lucullan, Silent Poet, and Raging Bull. I will use those three in multi race wagers leaning on Lucullan heaviest. Emmaus and Admiralty Pier will be in my rear slots in vertical wagers as they are both long odds horses I think can hit the board. Enjoy the Woodbine Mile.