Strengths: Consistently strong performer loves Monmouth and has battled amongst a stellar 2007 sophomore class (meeting head-to-head with Curlin, Hard Spun, Any Given Saturday and Street Sense). A two-turn, middle-distance race plays to his best abilities and he was finishing strongly against older horses in the Meadowlands Cup.

Weaknesses: He’s yet to win above the Grade 3 level and has appeared to be a notch below the best 3-year-olds this year. How that ranks in the older-horse division will be a question mark answered in the Dirt Mile. Can be a handful to ride, and must show patience if the pace is quick.

In the Genes: Young sire Exchange Rate has produced Grade 1 Apple Blossom winner Ermine and top distaff sprinter Swap Fliparoo. Exchange Rate won the Risen Star on the Triple Crown trail and the Tom Fool sprinting at age 4.

Bet You Didn’t Know: Xchanger was on the sales block up until the final moments before entries were taken for the Kentucky Derby. He’s gone on to earn more than $400,000 since that time.