Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #3 (SHAMCAT) (3-1) - Gulfstream shipper moves up in class following a close up second place finish there March 16. A carer best, it was his first race since Sept. 21 and first ever on the grass. Working well locally and Irad Ortiz Jr. is aboard for the first time.
2nd pick: #2 (Bigboldbook) (5-1) - Away since Sept. 16, he's dropping into a claimer and is stretching out in distance both for the first time. He has some early speed and is dangerous at a square price if ready.
3rd pick: #1a (Markitoff) (5-2) - Part of an entry with #1 'Thirtysevenliveson,' colt has been on the sidelines since debuting Sept. 5 at Saratoga. He ran evenly that day going two turns on the grass facing tougher and is dropped into a claimer by Linda Rice. She wins at a 39% rate second time out, is 24% of of long layoffs, and is at 29% on this particular class reduction.
4th pick: #5 (Wingman) (7-2) - $300K purchase is improving and is racing on the grass for the first time. Working fast at Belmont for his first since March 5, he's bred for the turf and must be left in the mix.