PROS

• The tightest of finishes reflected two outstanding performances. Seven-year-old Karelian was sharp off a year lay-off to lead nearly every step of the way, ultimately falling victim to the well-timed punch down the stretch from Court Vision.

CONS

• Both winner and runner-up seemed to handle the yielding going better than anyone else in the group, and both had dream trips as opposed to third-place finisher Mr. Sidney.

BOTTOM LINE

• With at least the first and third-place finishers all moving on the Breeders’ Cup Mile, both rank among the better US turf runners. Court Vision, in particular, may be putting everything together and may have found his perfect niche at the mile distance; he should be very tough in California.