Value pick for the Iselin Stakes

A field of seven will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Monmouth Park dirt in Saturday’s $250,000 Philip H. Iselin S. (G3). The race marks the return of 2019 Travers S. (G1) romper #5 Code of Honor (6-5), and the Shug McGaughey trainee is the obvious one to beat in the cast. But the chestnut will be running shorter than his ideal distance, and he might need one off the long absence, so going against the short-priced favorite makes sense in this spot.

Kelly Breen’s #1 West Will Power (4-1) makes a lot of sense to me from the rail while making just his second graded stakes attempt. The bay son of Bernardini, who is 2-for-3 on the course, has lost two straight but has performed quite well in each of those setbacks.

West Will Power made a big middle move only to tire inside the final furlong when fourth in the Salvator Mile S. (G3) here two back, prior to coming home a clear second behind a fine victor in a tough allowance test at Saratoga last time out. The Gary and Mary West homebred shows rising Brisnet Speed figures as well as two good morning breezes in preparation for Saturday, and the rail draw seems ideal for the versatile stalker.

Nik Juarez will ride the upset pick and have the four-year-old colt placed second or third early on while saving ground along the fence. I envision West Will Power to be asked for his best approaching the run for home, and in turn, getting the jump on the deeper closing types, including Code of Honor. A price resembling his morning-line number would be very good value in my opinion.

Code of Honor is not ideally placed for success, but the Noble Mission five-year-old is a must-use, nonetheless. The classy Farish homebred has faced top competition throughout his career and could beat this field on class alone. Top local pilot Paco Lopez will guide the accomplished Kentucky-bred.

Iselin Wagers

• $30 win #1 West Will Power ($30)
• $10 exacta box 1-5 ($20)