A well-balanced field of 10 three-year-olds will travel eight panels on the Pimlico lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 James W. Murphy S. The Cherie DeVaux-trained #7 Reagan’s Wit (5-2) has the best resume in the field and will be awfully difficult to upend with even minor improvement in his fourth run off the break. 

Murphy Wagers

• $1 superfecta 5,7 with 5,7 with 3,6,8,9 with 3,6,8,9 ($24)
• $1 superfecta 7 with 5 with 3,6,8,9 with 3,6,8,9 ($12)
• $1 superfecta 7 with 3,6,8,9 with 5 with 3,6,8,9 ($12)

The Authentic colt was second on debut at Ellis Park in the summer prior to breaking his maiden by a commanding eight lengths in his sophomore unveiling at Fair Grounds on Jan. 20. In his third lifetime showing, the chestnut missed by a neck in the Columbia S. at Tampa Bay Downs behind the excellent Zulu Kingdom, who eclipsed the American Turf S. (G1) at Churchill Downs two weeks ago. 

A wide fourth in the Transylvania S. (G3) at Keeneland in his most recent outing, the $135,000 yearling purchase has trained well with four morning moves in anticipation of his first run at this locale, and the colt might peak in his fourth try off the shelf, as well. Regular pilot Jose Ortiz retains the mount.

Of the two Graham Motion trainees, I expect #5 End of Romance (9-2) to break out with a big showing in his third run of 2025. The Showcasing gelding was last seen finishing a length back in the Woodhaven S. at Aqueduct, which followed a solid third in the Rushaway S. in his stateside debut. Irish-bred chestnut will arrive on the scene inside the final furlong with John Velazquez up. 

If #8 Curahee (8-1) takes a step forward with the addition of blinkers in the contest, then the Brittany Russel charge will be in the hunt late under Luis Saez. War of Will gelding has held his own with stakes runners in two straight and makes a lot of sense for the exotics for a high-percentage outfit. #9 Stormy Flight (15-1) is two-for-two on the grass in his career and might be worth a flyer in his route debut for trainer Hamilton Smith. The son of Get Stormy will have Victor Carrasco on board. #3 Clock Tower (5-1) has excuses for his last pair of results and could make the frame with something close to his best for Wesley Ward. #6 Soleil Volant (7-2) is another contender I will use in the lower rungs of the verticals. 

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