The defections of Tiznow and Captain Steve knocked some of the luster off the 36th running of the Pimlico Special H., but some tough handicap runners are still present in the field of six. Grade 1 winner ALBERT THE GREAT is one of the top older horses in training and will be making his third start of the year for trainer Nick Zito. Multiple Grade 2 hero PLEASANT BREEZE ran huge when second in this event last year and is exiting a runner-up finish in the Gulfstream Park H. and INCLUDE has shown tremendous form this year and appears capable of making his presence felt in his Grade 1 debut.

Look for a slight upset from off the pace with Include. The four-year-old didn't break his maiden until June 25 last year and three starts later captured the Vincent A. Moscarelli S. by 9 1/2 lengths at Delaware, recording a 104 BRIS Speed rating. However, his sophomore campaign ended soon afterward due to a minor injury, and the bay colt didn't make it back to the track until February at the Fair Grounds. Include won his seasonal debut in the Whirlaway H. by two lengths and then dominated his rivals in the New Orleans H., earning a 107 speed figure. That speed rating is on par with Albert the Great, and Include has the advantage of a race over the track, having easily captured the Jennings H. last out at Old Hilltop. He's continued to train well since then for trainer Buddy Delp, recording three moves in 21 days, and appears to be at the top of his game.

Albert the Great owns big speed ratings from both starts this year and turned in a bullet work at Pimlico on Tuesday. Zito's won this event twice before, and he certainly has the horse to add another one to his ledger. Albert the Great has changed styles this year, rating off the pace in both outings instead of flashing the customary speed he showed last year at three. With the red-hot Jorge Chavez up, Albert the Great will be tough to beat.

MILWAUKEE BREW is a confirmed Sustained runner and should have a steamy pace up front with entrymate LAREDO putting early pressure on Pleasant Breeze. The Joe Orseno-trained Milwaukee Brew notched triple digit speed ratings on several occasions last year, including a strong third-place showing in the Haskell Invitational H. and returned with a solid showing in the Westchester H. that notched a 101 figure. The four-year-old should be sharper off the tightener, but he'll have to prove himself at this level. We'll use him on the bottom of the exotics.

Pleasant Breeze likes the track and has been running well this year for trainer James Bond. The six-year-old loses Chavez for Corey Nakatani, and we're not thrilled with the jockey switch. We also believe Laredo might compromise the dark bay gelding. Pleasant Breeze appears very capable of grabbing a top three finish, but we'll have to go against here.

SERGEANT YORK makes his U.S. debut off a dirt stakes victory in England and has won two of three starts on the dirt this year. The five-year-old didn't face much in those starts, however, recording low BRIS Class ratings. This class hike is probably too ambitious. Laredo is more of a sprinter/miler and is serving as a "rabbit" for his stablemate.

1st-INCLUDE
2nd-ALBERT THE GREAT
3rd-MILWAUKEE BREW