Top pick: #1 (MELVILLE) (3-1) - Darley home-bred finished a strong third when debuting at this mile distance Sept. 26 at Belmont. He's been working nicely since for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin (24% second time out). Three-year-old gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #5 (Idiosyncratic) (7-2) - Colt has had less than perfect trips in his first pair and has still managed to be competitive. Chad Brown trainee is making back-to-back starts for the first time and is in the win mix.
3rd pick: #8 (Artie Crasher) (5-1) - Colt closed with a big rush to check in second when debuting in a Belmont Park grass sprint Oct. 26. He was off poorly and did well under the circumstances. Dangerous on the stretch out in distance.
4th pick: #10 (T Sizzle) (6-1) - Gelding has finished second in three of four grass races and has an early speed advantage on most entered. In shape, blinkers go on, and he should be involved every step.
5th pick: #7 (Point Hope) (15-1) - "Long winded" type moves from dirt to turf after finishing second in two of his last four on the main track. Price play can impact if the pace is fast and/or contested.