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AMERICAN GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
A strong field of nine turf runners will travel 1 3/8 miles in the traditional Monmouth Park Holiday feature, the $750,000 United Nations S. (G1). Grade 2 stayer LAURO (Ger) (Monsun) has been out top pick in his last two and we're willing to give him one more chance in this spot for trainer Andreas Wohler. The stubborn six-year-old couldn't accelerate with the field in the Manhattan H. (G1) last out at 10 panels and might be running at a distance shorter than his best in here, but we're envisioning a huge run in his third effort off the bench. The classy dark bay should be tracking in second or third early under Jorge Chavez, prior to getting up in the latter stages. Second by a neck in this race last year, Grade 2 winner STRIKE A DEAL (Smart Strike) had a nice prep for this and should be set for a big showing in his third off the bench. The Alan Goldberg pupil is a better animal at longer distances as opposed to the nine-furlong races he's been in lately, and his experience at this venue gives him a fighting chance beneath Chuckie Lopez. PRESIOUS PASSION (Royal Anthem) won this race a year ago for trainer Mary Hartman and has been full of heart in his last two races, including a win in the Monmouth S. last out. The speedy gelding will be on the lead early, likely by a comfortable margin, and he'll probably let the field come to him before trying to out-sprint them to the wire. The chestnut has earned our respect with his courage, and we know he adores this oval, so another top showing is looks very possible under Elvis Trujillo. Grade 2 hero SPICE ROUTE (GB) (King's Best) has finished in the top three in seven of his last eight starts, and in his defeats, the chestnut has never been beaten by more than 1 3/4 lengths. The Roger Attfield gelding always runs well and is more than logical to finish in the top three, or possibly win, in this test. Eddie Castro will be aboard the high-level performer. COURT VISION (Gulch) finished fourth in the Manhattan in his latest for Bill Mott and the four-year-old is a proven talent on the lawn. Winner of the Hollywood Derby (G1) in late November, the Kentucky-bred has a strong turn of foot and is adept at handling 1 1/4 miles, so the extra furlong here shouldn't pose a problem in our estimation. The late runner will need a decent early tempo at which to run at beneath Garrett Gomez, and there doesn't appear to be much speed present. BANROCK (Go For Gin) was a touch unlucky not to win the local prep for this, the Monmouth S., but the Tom Bush trainee is in excellent form and can run over any kind of turf. The Empire State-bred is not a proven commodity at this distance but with the inside draw and potential fast early tempo, we see no reason why he can't challenge for a Grade 1-placing under Joe Bravo. WESLEY (El Prado [Ire]) has gotten really good for trainer Mark Hennig, but we just don't see him toppling these rivals in his first try at 1 3/8 miles. We do consider the gray an exotics contender, though. Louisville H. (G3) upsetter BRASS HAT (Prized) proved that he still is capable of competing at this level for Fred "Buff" Bradley. However, the gelded eight-year-old will face a much better field than he saw last out, and while he did conquer a horse we're quite fond of, we don’t have faith that Brass Hat can duplicate that effort in here. BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) is expected to scratch after reportedly injuring a split bone in a hind leg.
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