E HOPEFUL

Four weeks ago, this horse ran excellently in the same race, settling near the front and finishing as runner-up. Fortunately, he was not weighed down significantly, losing by only half a length. This time he needs to carry an extra pound, putting him at a slight disadvantage with unfavorable draws. If he adopts a stalking running style, his late burst may not match the competition. There isn't a particularly strong connection between the jockey and trainer, but his time performance was decent, meaning he is not without a chance.