HORSE RACING

The Lazaro Barrera Memorial

Betfair Hollywood Park, Race 3 - Post 5:03

$100,000 (Grade III), 3 y.o., 7 furlongs

1. Gun Boat. . . Rafael Bejarano. . . 2-1

2. Drill. . . Martin Garcia. . . 7-5

3. American Act. . . Garrett Gomez. . . 8-5

4. Boompa. . . Joe Talamo. . . 8-1

Gun Boat may be lone speed against a compact, but talented field. Drill has been in with all the top names in the division, but was found wanting at the longer distances. Now that he is running in shorter races, he will be very competitive. That was an interesting style change for American Act last time when he came from last to win a stakes by a nose. The horse had been running up top. I am hoping he comes from off the pace again to leave my choice with the lead.

* D.J.'s picks:

1. Gun Boat

2. Drill

3. American Act

The Peter Pan

Belmont Park, Race 9 - Post 5:06

$200,000 (Grade II), 3 y.o., 1 1/8 miles

1. Right to Vote. . . Alex Solis. . . 20-1

2. The Lumber Guy. . . Mike Luzzi. . . 7-2

3. Zetterholm. . . Junior Alvarado. . . 20-1

4. Le Bernardin. . . Eddie Castro. . . 15-1

5. Mark Valeski. . . Rosie Napravnik. . . 5-2

6. Good Morning Diva. . . Julien Leparoux. . . 12-1

7. Hakama. . . John Velazquez. . . 15-1

8. Big Screen. . . Rajiv Maragh. . . 15-1

9. Master Rick. . . Corey Nakatani. . . 10-1

10. Teeth of the Dog. . . Joe Bravo. . . 6-1

11. Summer Front. . . Ramon Dominguez. . . 8-1

12. Street Life. . . Jose Lezcano. . . 8-1

Master Rick has been dominant in his two starts for trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Corey Nakatani. His 99 Beyer speed figure at Oaklawn Park is the best in the field. Has a big a chance at what should be a square price. The Lumber Guy has never been beyond at the first call of any race. The question is the distance. He could not last in the Wood Memorial. I am trying to beat Mark Valeski, who was considered for the Derby until Larry Jones decided he did not like the way the colt was training in the final days.Teeth of the Dog will be scratched from this race and run in next Saturday's Preakness for trainer Michael Matz. He won't make up for Union Rags, but this colt will have to do.

* D.J.'s picks:

1. Master Rick

2. The Lumber Guy

3. Mark Valeski

The Decathlon

Monmouth Park, Race 10 - Post 5:18

$75,000, 3 y.o. & up, 6 furlongs

1. Wildcat Brief. . . Carlos Marquez Jr.. . . 6-1

2. Ponzi Scheme. . . Elvis Trujillo. . . 15-1

3. Congressional Page. . . Kendrick Carmouche. . . 10-1

4. Soaring Stocks. . . Chris DeCarlo. . . 7-2

5. Comedero. . . Joe Rocco Jr.. . . 5-1

6. Nathan's H Q. . . Angel Serpa. . . 12-1

7. Flat Bold. . . Rosario Montanez. . . 6-1

8. Bank Merger. . . Joe Bravo. . . 5-2

9. Zero Rate Policy. . . Paco Lopez. . . 3-1

Wildcat Brief nearly won this race off just about an identical layoff last year. That was a smaller field, and this is a tricky post. Also, the pace does not look super hot, so it won't be easy for my pick to come from far back and win. Flat Bold figures to get a nice trip from his outside post. Comedero has won 11 of 20 starts, but may have lost a step.

* D.J.'s picks:

1. Wildcat Brief

2. Flat Bold

3. Comedero

- Dick Jerardi