#6 still needs to prove it can get 8f again (i.e. since 1.5 years ago in Leister). Agreed it will be among the closers, but there are good closers here in the #2 and #5. In fact, the #5 is a former closer with a new EP strategy who will try to soften up the must-lead #8 and today does not face the same early speedball of its last race, so can possibly improve (and will need to).
it would not surprise me if at least one if not 2 horses from that Feb 23 Tandem of #2 #5 and #7 were there at the end.
The #2 and #5 still look like potent OTE's to catch the #8. So much closely matched ability here that odds will likely be very evenly matched - possibly 3 horses under 7/2. I'll check to see if any profit is available in a 4 horse Exacta dutch near post time.
Ted