Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (SPUN TO RUN) (7-2) - Late developing son of 'Hard Spun' enters off a pair of very impressive wins. Colt was an easy gate-to-wire winner by almost 7 lengths in a two-turn mile stakes Oct 12 at Philly Park. He earned a 110 speed figure and followed that up with a 109 when taking the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile (G1) Nov 2 at Santa Anita. Working fast since, he draws just outside of 'Maximum Security' and that will give Irad Ortiz Jr. some early options. I give this 3yo a slight edge.
2nd pick: #5 (Maximum Security) (3-2) - The disqualified winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) enters off a pair of back-to-back scores. He won Monmouth's Haskel Invitational (G1) going 9 furlongs July 20, then after 100 days of freshening he won the G3 Bold Ruler facing older horses going 7 furlongs Oct 26 at Belmont. An obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Pat On the Back) (15-1) - Veteran New York bred won the Kelso Stakes (G2) at this distance facing 'open' company Sep 21 at Belmont. He disappointed in his follow up there as the heavy favorite in the $300K Empire Classic Oct 19, but is capable of factoring in this spot if the pace is fast/and or contested.
4th pick: #2 (Bal Harbour) (8-1) - Steady performer from the Pletcher barn ships back from Keeneland where he tired to finish a distant 3rd in the G2 Fayette Stakes Oct 26. He had a tough post on a very sloppy surface and did well under the conditions. He had finished 2nd in three straight prior to that and was beaten only a 1/2 length in the rich Woodward Stakes (G1) Aug 31 at Saratoga.