Crecent City owns the course record for 7 1/2 furlongs at FG, and its a good bet he can get the additional sixteenth-mile without a problem, especially since he has a habit of running each furlong faster than the one before. Add to that a 1:35 mile work on the 25th, and look out. Dont expect him up front early in this field, but he will be coming like a freight train late. El Guru makes his stakes debut here, coming in off a seven length romp in a mile allowance at GP and 100 SRF. This gelding has a habit of finishing in the money, and he should continue it here. Zero has been hitting the board in graded company and should benefit from the drop in class. Another one who probably wont contest the early pace, but he could be close.

2 Summer Blind
Sire: M2 Kapai
Dam: Blind Debbie (Blind Melon)
Breeder: Barcelona Farms
Owner: Alberta Rose Stables

In the money an impressive 14 of 17 starts, this four-year-old gelding was purchased at auction for $51.000 in December and has an allowance win and a third in stakes company in his two starts since. Scored a 103 SRF here at FG on soft turf two starts back. Has already earned nearly half as much so far this year as he did all of 2008. Looks like hes on a roll, and he is working like he means business.

3 Cresent City
Sireline: HRP-Wild Risk
Damline: HRP-Persian Maid
owner/Breeder: Quintis Racing

This five-year-old also has an allowance win at FG this year and a 100+ SRF. Last out he finished third in the $75.000 Colonel Power Stakes, also at FG. Lightly raced, but he has made every start count. Won a state-bred allowance in January and set a new 7 1/2 furlong course record at FG. Very nice seven and eight furlong works leading up to this race. Should have a say in the outcome.

4 Mehsod
Sireline: HRP-Soderini
Damline: HRP-Mehrabi
Owner/Breeder: Team 7 Illusions

Four-year-old phenomenon broke his maiden at first asking on yielding turf at MNR. Followed that up with a third in allowance company, then scored a wire-to-wire win in state-bred company here at FG. Switches from Lasix to blinkers for this start. Could get the early lead, and he just might hold it to the wire.

5 Simply Wizard
Sireline: HRP-Belloto
Damline: HRP-Alanesian
Owner/Breeder: Ken Allan

Hit the board in graded company last out, finishing third by a length in the Hals Hope Handicap (G3) on dirt. Fourth in the Firecracker BC Handicap (G3) on turf in July, but his most recent turf win came at KEE last April in optional claiming company.

6 Romeo Man
Sire: Bobby Romeo
Dam: Pictures Of Lily
Owner/Breeder: Crazy Horse Racing

This colt has been knocking on the door of a graded win in his most recent starts, with a second in the American Derby (G2) last July and a fourth in the Secretariat Stakes (G1) in August, both by just a length. Dropped down in class and scored a win in allowance company at GP in January. Last out, he couldnt hit the board in the FG Handicap (G3). All of those starts were beyond a mile. Shortens up here and could be right there at the wire.

7 El Guru
Sireline: HRP-Claro
Damline: HRP-Winkipop
Owner/Breeder: Salamanca Stable

Comes in off an allowance win at GP at the same distance as this race. covered the mile in 1:33 and change and scored a 100 SRF in a seven length romp. This five-year-old gelding hasnt finished off the board in his last seven starts. In fact, in ten starts, he has only been out of the money twice. Worked a rocket seven furlongs at GP in 1:21 2/5 in mid-January. Makes his stakes debut here and it could be a winning one. Definitely one to watch.

8 Hello Poochie Liu
Sire: Platinum Trick
Dam: Bosra Sham (HRP-Gulf Stream)
Owner/Breeder: Winning Link Stables

A win in the La Jolla Handicap (G2) got this gelding a ticket to the BC Mile, but he beat only two that day. Since then, he has had trouble getting back to the winners circle or even hitting the board in graded company. The drop in class here should be a big help. Works arent as impressive as some, but its what happens on the track that counts, and he has put up some very competitive times.

9 Zero
Sireline: HRP-With Approval
Damline: Misty Morn
Breeder: Team 7 Illusions
Owner: Sarah Stables

Always competitive six-year-old gelding is a graded stakes winner, but that was a long time ago. Lately, he has been bouncing from graded stakes to ungraded stakes to allowance and has hit the board pretty consistently. In thirteen starts since he was claimed last January for $80.000, he has hit the board six times and won three allowances. And even when he doesnt get up for show money or better, he usually ends up within three lengths of the winner. Another one that could benefit from the drop in class, but it will take a top effort to get a win here.

10 Rumors
Sire: Swap Meat
Dam: Juicy News (HRP-Storm And A Half)
Breeder: Petty Farms
Owner: Sarah Stables

Won the Puss n Boots Cup last September, wiring a field of twelve and scoring a 103 SRF while setting a new FE turf course record for the 1 1/16 mile. Worked his way through conditions, then tried graded company in the FG Handicap last out, finishing fifth three lengths in front of Romeo Man but five behind the winner. Should like this distance and level better.

Picks:

Crecent City
El Guru
Zero