The Spiral is expected to attract the two top local stars, Request for Parole and Perfect Drift, one-two, respectively in the WEBN Frog Stakes and Battaglia Memorial; Maryland invader Saratoga Blues, who is undefeated in three starts; the Nick Zito-trained Straight Gin, winner of his last two starts at Gulfstream; New York shipper My Man Ryan; as well as Gold Dollar and Benny the Hawk.
Holdthehelm, who was scheduled to ship from California for Saturday's $500,000 Lane's End Spiral Stakes, will be forced to miss the race after popping a quarter crack. Mike Smith, who was scheduled to ride Holdthehelm, will now be aboard another California horse, Azillion.Azillion, a son of Alzao, has run twice in this country, finishing third in a pair of allowance races at Santa Anita, one an optional claimer. His lone victory came in a one-mile maiden race at Lingfield last September.