There are about 10-12 horses in this race with “positional speed” as you put it. It’s not a War Emblem race where one horse is going to take over? Messier looks to have a little more early lick than most but it’s not overwhelming. What I usually see is that a lot of jockeys get tentative in the big race, but if most run true to form about half the field wants to run the first half in about 0:47. I’m looking for a horse that’s not going to do that.
Good luck!