Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (FREE DROP BILLY) (2-1) - He ships from Gulfstream where he finished 2nd in the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at this one-turn mile distance Feb. 3. It was his first since Nov. 4 and he probably wasn't at 100%. Trainer Dale Romans decided to skip last weeks Fountain of Youth Stakes and run him here and possibly the Wood Memorial in three weeks. Colt by 'Union Rags' gets top billing.
2nd pick: #9 (Enticed) (7-2) - Godolphin runner tired in his seasonal debut when he was 9 lengths in back of 'Free Drop Billy' Feb. 3 at Gulfstream. Very sharp in all three starts in 2017, he draws a nice outside post and should be much sharper for this attempt.
3rd pick: #5 (Firenze Fire) (3-1) - Multiple stakes winner won the Jerome Stakes here at this distance Jan. 13, then finished second in the Withers Stakes (G3) going two-turns Feb 3. He has a 'home field' advantage on both 'Free Drop Billy' and 'Enticed' and must be left in the win mix.
4th pick: #2 (Cove Blue) (20-1) - Longshot is from the same barn (Dale Romans) as 'Free Drop Billy'. He has good early speed and was working very fast at Gulfstream before shipping north. $300K son of 'Ghostzapper' may grab a share at a very big price.