Micromanage Seeking Repeat in $200,000 Birdstone Stakes

Todd Pletcher will saddle two of the contenders including Micromanage, tabbed as the favorite at odds of 5-2 on the morning line. A five-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro owned by Repole Stable, he is a seven-time winner and won the 2014 edition of the Birdstone Stakes. He has one win from six starts this year and was last seen finishing third in the Carl Hanford Memorial Stakes. Javier Castellano will be aboard and they will break from post position two.

Turco Bravo (CHI) stepping back up to stakes company

Second choice at 3-1 on the morning line is Turco Bravo (CHI) for trainer Gary Contessa. A six-year-old Chilean-bred son of Caesarion (IRE), he has eleven career victories to his credit and will be trying to earn his second stakes win. He was third in an optional claiming race at Laurel Park last time out after dropping down following two off the board finishes against graded stakes company. Jose Ortiz will be aboard from post four.

Stakes debut for well-bred Tacticus 

Also in the field at morning line odds of 10-1 is Tacticus, a longshot for trainer Graham Motion. A four-year-old son of A.P. Indy, he is stepping up to stakes competition for the first time after a fourth-place finish in an allowance race at Saratoga. He has two wins from ten total starts and began his career in Europe. Joel Rosario will be in the irons and they will break from post position seven.