Thistledown Picks & Predictions — June 8, 2026

Merger comes in second on our ratings at 72.47 and draws the 2/1 morning line for trainer Timothy E. Hamm with Rocco Bowen aboard. A 17% career win rate in claiming company is workmanlike, and Bowen is one of the sharper sticks in this jock colony. If Fast and Friendly hits any traffic or gets caught up in a pace duel, Merger is well-positioned to pick up the pieces.

Drill City at 9/2 is worth a look underneath with a 68.29 TrackWiz rating and a solid 21% career win rate for trainer Shane Meyers. Jose A. Bracho takes the mount, and in a five-horse field at 5.5 furlongs, there's not a lot of room for error — Drill City has enough class to hit the board and rounds out a natural exacta and trifecta combination.

Willing N Abled draws the 2/1 morning line favoritism from trainer Larry Rivelli — a respected name at this level — with Jareth Loveberry riding. The 58.33 rating is second in the field, and while the avg speed data is absent (suggesting a first-time starter or limited data), Rivelli doesn't send horses out unprepared. This is a prime place play in maiden exotics.

Bistineau Boo Bell at 3/1 is an interesting show play from trainer Eric R. Reed, who has a track record developing young horses. She sits third on our ratings at 56.67 and Bailey Weatherly rides — and like Willing N Abled, the absence of avg speed data likely signals a debut runner with quality works behind her. At 3/1, she's a natural third piece in your trifecta boxes.

Miss Foxann is a sneaky place play at 6/1 despite sitting fifth on the morning line. Her 64.20 TrackWiz rating is actually third-best in the field, and trainer Julie A. Pappada has shown she can place horses competitively in claiming sprints. Rocco Bowen is a legit upside rider, and at those odds, she adds real value to exacta combinations.

Right Trappe at 7/2 brings a 21% career win rate — second-best in the race — and trainer Michael L. Rone sends Luis Raul Rivera to the post with a horse who has a 64.06 TrackWiz rating that closely mirrors Miss Foxann. In a pace scenario where Holiday Lights controls things on the front end, Right Trappe's profile suggests she could be grinding late for a slice of the purse.

Drury Lane is the value underneath at 5/1 for trainer Jeffrey A. Radosevich and jockey Luis Raul Rivera. A 77.61 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win rate speak to a horse who knows how to compete in this spot, and his avg speed of 55 matches the top horses in the race. If Jupiter gets into a speed duel early, Drury Lane could be the one picking up the pieces late.

Picaro rounds out our card at 2/1 as the morning line second choice, and while he sits third on our ratings at 72.81, that 8% career win rate is a mild concern. Alexander Chavez rides for trainer Rey Juarez-Mendoza, and an avg speed of 55 confirms he belongs at this level. He's a natural show horse in exotic plays but trails Jupiter and Drury Lane on our model.

Spice Ice at 5/2 is the natural underneath play with a 69.06 TrackWiz rating and a 14% career win rate for trainer Ivan Calderon, who also has City Signs in this field — a barn with two runners is always worth noting. Rocco Bowen takes the mount, and while the 51 avg speed is the lowest among the contenders, Spice Ice's overall profile suggests she'll be involved late in a five-and-a-half furlong sprint.

Fabulous Clown at 6/1 brings a 64.79 TrackWiz rating and a 12% career win rate for trainer James R. Jackson with Luis Raul Rivera up. She matches Lady Lottie on avg speed at 53, and in an eight-horse field at 5.5 furlongs, pace scenarios can get complicated — Fabulous Clown is the type who can find a clean trip and grind into third. A solid trifecta piece at a price.