Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #1 (SHAGAF) (2-1) - Undefeated (three-for-three) home bred by 'Bernardini' faces his toughest test so far. Stalker took the G3 Gotham Stakes here on the inner-track going 8.5-furlongs March 5. Working well since, he has the rail and is the only horse entered with a previous win on the main Aqueduct surface. He won his debut in late November going a mile on it.
2nd pick: #6 (Matt King Coal) (3-1) - Interesting colt won his seasonal debut on the inner-surface facing weaker going 8.5-furlongs March 6. It was his first since late October when he looked great when breaking his maiden at Belmont. Working fast and a win threat.
3rd pick: #5 (Flexibility) (8-1) - He's an uncoupled barn mate of 'Shagaf' as both are trained by Chad Brown. He disappointed last out as the heavy favorite when finishing fourth in the Withers Stakes (G3) Jan 30. He had gone 4-2-2-0 prior to that including three straight sharp efforts in stakes.
4th pick: #8 (Outwork) (5-2) - From the Pletcher barn, lightly-raced home bred by 'Uncle Mo' enters off a solid second-place finish to barn mate 'Destin' in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby March 12. Speed/stalker draws a tough outside post and believe he'll be sent right to the top. He has plenty of room for upside and must be left in the mix.