Top pick: #7 (SPIRITED TOUCH) (5-1) - One of two California imports entered by trainer Dave Jacobson and the pair race uncoupled. Speedy sort is well-bred, formerly with Bob Baffert, and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Mi Hijo) (7-2) - The second of the Jacobson pair, he has a good late kick and had finished fourth on the coast in three straight before heading east. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Catholic Cowboy) (3-1) - Fits with these and has finished close up in his last pair. Working well at Saratoga for this attempt and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #10 (Loveheartandsoul) (10-1) - Longshot raced evenly after a trouble break when debuting on the Belmont grass Oct. 10. Blinkers go on, he goes turf to dirt, and trainer Linda Rice wins at a 23% clip second time out.