But the 29th renewal of the 11/8-mile race at Philadelphia Park could be a bettor's dream, with a wide-open race offering a multitude of possible winners at square odds.

Smooth Air, the Ohio Derby winner who finished second to divisional leader Big Brown in the Florida Derby, is listed as the 7-2 favorite for trainer Bennie Stutts Jr. and jockey Manoel Cruz.

But the colt, whose only poor showing was an 11th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, has not raced in three months and may be vulnerable.

Despite the huge field, there is a surprising lack of pure speed in the field, with the likely exception of California shipper Two Step Salsa.

Trained by Julio Canani, Two Step Salsa was the runner-up last month in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Two Step Salsa was outrun by Tres Borrachos that day but edged Colonel John, who returned to capture last Saturday's prestigious Travers at Saratoga.

Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who owned Barbaro, will be represented by West Virginia Derby winner Ready Set, trained by Michael Matz.

Stones River, who has captured four consecutive races decisively at Delaware Park, is a stretch threat for trainer Larry Jones and jockey Gabriel Saez.

Other entrants include Tiz Now Tiz Then, Numaany, Only for Now, Power Game, Anak Nakal, Atoned, You and I Forever, and the mutuel field combination of Wishful Tomcat, Alaazo and Acai.

On the undercard is the $250,000 Turf Monster, with a terrific field going five furlongs.

Curlin at spa. Curlin, the runner-up in the Man o'War last month at Belmont Park while trying turf for the first time, will be the odds-on favorite this afternoon in the $500,000 Woodward (TVG, HRTV) over the main track at Saratoga.

Key threats to the $9.4 million earner include Divine Park, the Metropolitan winner who has triumphed in six of eight starts, and Out of Control, who has been competing on the turf.

A victory in the 11/8-mile Woodward would push Curlin's earnings to $9,796,800, just shy of Cigar's all-time-leading $9,999,815.

Kent at Delaware. A field of 11 will compete in the $500,000 turf stake for 3-year-olds at Delaware Park.

Adriano, a formidable stretch runner who encountered traffic woes in his last start, could rule as the favorite in a well-matched group.

Wesley, Deal Making and Luck Money should be competitive.