Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (NEWS ANCHOR) (2-1) - Heavily bet in all three starts, this colt has finished 2nd twice and 3rd once. He's had legitimate excuses in each and should break his maiden with a clean break and trip.
2nd pick: #5 (Smooth Move) (10-1) - Broman home bred raced extremely wide when finishing 5th of 11, beaten 11 lengths when debuting at this level going seven furlongs on the Belmont turf Oct. 14. Trainer Linda Rice (a strong 30% second time out) adds blinkers and stretches him out in distance. Can impact at a big price.
3rd pick: #9 (Perfectexpectation) (5-1) - He showed nothing when debuting in a dirt sprint at Saratoga Aug. 17. Sent to the turf Sept. 24 at Belmont, he rallied to finish 2nd, then raced both wide and evenly Oct. 22. He was two lengths in front of 'News Anchor' the first time they met, then was five lengths behind him last out. Gelding has more speed than most and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #3 (Now a Factor) (8-1) - Grey gelding finished 3rd at this level going a mile at Belmont Sept. 20, then 'hit the gate' there Oct. 22 losing all chance. An alert beginning makes him a threat at a big price.
5th pick: #1 (Mr Vincent) (5-1) - From the barn of leading trainer Rudy Rodriguez, gelding rallied to finish 3rd while just under a length back of 'News Anchor' Oct. 22 at Belmont. He was 52-1 that day with apprentice Reyes aboard and will be 5-1 or less today with Irad Ortiz, Jr. taking over the riding duties.