A Lot Tops Field for $100,000 Manila Stakes

Bill Mott will saddle A Lot as the morning line favorite at 6-5 odds in the compact field. A bay son of Tapit, he has been on the board in five of his seven starts and is a three-time winner.  After a runner-up effort in the American Turf Stakes (G2), he broke through last time out and earned his first black type victory in the Paradise Creek Stakes as the heavy favorite. John Velazquez will remain aboard and they will break from post position five.

High Noon Rider trying for first stakes victory

Second choice at 2-1 on the morning line is High Noon Rider for trainer George Weaver.  A bay son of Distorted Humor, he has two wins from nine starts and is trying to earn the first stakes victory of his career. After winning an optional claiming race two starts back, he stepped up to graded stakes competition in the Penn Mile (G3) and finished sixth. Irad Ortiz, Jr. will be in the irons and they will break from post position two.

Croninthebarbarian aiming for first win of the year

Also in the field and a long shot at 10-1 on the morning line is Croninthebarbarian for trainer Chad Brown.  Bred and owned by Ol’ Memorial Stable, the dark bay son of Stroll has been on the board in seven of his nine starts and is winless since scoring in a minor stakes race as a juvenile. He was second behind A Lot in the Paradise Creek Stakes last time out and will be aiming for the second stakes win of his career with Javier Castellano aboard from post four.