Natl. Museum of Racing Hall of Fame

Four of the runners in Monday's $150,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of

Fame S. (G2) at Saratoga are exiting a start in the Virginia Derby (G3) on July

16. That day, they ran into a monster named English Channel (Smart Strike) and

couldn't keep up. In this 1 1/8-mile inner turf test, the field of nine is more

evenly matched and we like SILVER WHISTLE (Alphabet Soup) to come out on top.

Trained by Bill Mott, Silver Whistle finished better than any of the other

Virginia Derby runners in this field, coming in fourth after rallying from near

the back of the

pack. The gray colt earned a nice 95 BRIS Speed rating and seems to like the New

York climate, breaking his maiden and taking an allowance at Belmont Park prior

to his trip south. Silver Whistle is listed at 6-1 on the morning line and could

find himself in the winner's circle with Jerry Bailey in the irons.

PRINCE RAHY (Rahy) didn't try the Virginia Derby, instead going for the

Lexington S. (G3) at Belmont for trainer Frank Alexander. He ran third that day

and is still looking for his first win since breaking his maiden earlier this

year. However, the chestnut sophomore has earned some nice BRIS Late Pace

figures in his past three races and appears ready to take that next step up here

with Gary Stevens taking the reins.

REY DE CAFE (Kingmambo) captured the Crown Royal American Turf S. (G3) and

Hill Prince S. (G3) before trying his luck in the Virginia Derby. The George

Arnold II trainee ran an uncharacteristic ninth that day, his worse finish since

a sixth in the Aventura S. back in his first start back of the season. Since

then, the chestnut has been training well for his return, most recently getting

four furlongs around the dogs on Saratoga's turf in :48 1/5. He'll be tough to

deny in the stretch run under Javier Castellano.

REEL LEGEND (Catrail) finished second in the Lexington at Belmont most

recently, falling back to fifth after a bumpy start before rallying in the

stretch. He's still seeking his first turf score but has been working well

recently and is trained by James Jerkens, who's won with four of his nine

starters in the past 14 days. Reel Legend could earn that elusive first turf

victory on Monday with Jose Santos aboard.

HIGH LIMIT (Maria's Mon) is tops in this field, but will be making his turf

debut. Hero of the Louisiana Derby (G2) while on the Triple Crown trail, the

Bobby Frankel charge was third most recently in the Leonard Richards S. (G3) and

could dominate these if he can transfer his dirt form to this surface. T. D.

VANCE (Rahy) won the Toronto Cup H. at Woodbine while going nine furlongs in his

last one and might challenge for part. CROWN POINT (Honor Grades) finished fifth

in the Virginia Derby but owns competitive numbers for this group. He has

experience winning at the distance and deserves consideration for the exotics at

a price.

INTERPATATION (Langfuhr) might not be fast enough to threaten in this spot.

We'll let him beat us. HOLY GROUND (Saint Ballado) might not be able to keep up

and we'll take a stand against.