Its been nearly two years since Sheffler Stables The Marlboro Man set the 1 1/8 mile mark at BM. But the way these five are running, it wouldnt be a surprise to see this one fall. Superstar Otto ran faster winning a $65.000 allowance last out. Once Bitten ran faster in the Bold Venture Stakes.

You know the BC Turf Division is tough when colts and geldings of this calibre arent even ranked. Take Dark Heart for instance. He is yet to win a graded stake this year, but he has scored three 100+ SRFs and has broken a course record. Incarcerated is multiple graded stakes placed and set a course record in his last start but you wont see his name on the BC Turf leaderboard. Once Bitten finished seventh and last in his last start but was only two lengths off the lead. Can we say competitive?

One of these five talented males will end the day with a few more BC points. You could make a case for just about any of them.

1 Incarcerated
Sire: Jungle
Dam: Lockdown
Owner/ Breeder: Sans Bois Stables

Multiple graded stakes placed colt set a new turf course record at BM last out, covering 1 1/16 mile in 1:40.30 to win by three lengths. Scored a 101 SRF finishing second in the Lewis (G2) on dirt back in March. Won a $80.000 optional claimer at CD in May, also on dirt, and scored a 100 SRF. He only has four starts on turf and he won two of them. If his recent works are any indication, he is fit and ready to go.

2 Superstar Otto
Owner/Breeder: Rousee

Another colt that had a big performance last out. Won wire-to-wire in a $65.000 allowance over 1 1/8 mile on turf and scored a 101 SRF. Before that, he was second at the same level and distance. Won the $60.000 Hoss Stakes, but has yet to hit the board at graded stakes level. But he loves the surface and the distance. Could set the pace and will be tough.

3 Once Bitten
Sire: Open Sore
Dam: Mollycat Rerun
Owner/Breeder: Flamingg Moe

Finished seventh in the DMR Derby (Grade 2) in his last start, but was only two lengths behind the winner in a very competitive, hard-fought race. Before that, he looked brilliant winning the $108.000 Bold Venture Stakes in track record time and the La Jolla Handicap for his first graded stakes win. This year, the son of Open Sore has seven wins in eleven starts and just turned in a bullet mile work at BM. Could contest the early lead and a win would not be a surprise.

4 Dark Heart
Sire: The End
Dam: Heart Shaped Box
Owner/Breeder: YME Stable

Hasnt won at stakes level since the Cinema BC Handicap (G3) last June, but he has looked impressive in defeat several times this year, including the DMR Derby (G2) where he finished third by a head and the Connaught Cup (G3), another third place finish that earned him a 101 SRF. In the FG BC (G3) in February, he finished third again even though he broke the course record. This could be his day to get back to the winners circle.

5 First Slip
Sire: Leftfield
Dam: Askefruer
Owner/Breeder: Barking Stables

Won the $60.000 Grand Prairie Turf Challenge in April and earned a 100 SRF. Tried graded company next but could do no better than sixth in a field of seven in the Rogers Stakes (G3). Since then hes been struggling. May lack the experience to run with these and will definitely have his work cut out for him.

Picks:

Dark Heart
Once Bitten
Incarcerated