Top pick: #8 (FOREVER UTOPIA) (3-1) - Very consistent sort has gone 9-0-5-1 on the grass in the past and is the only horse entered with previous experience on the Aqueduct lawn. Colt missed by a "head" here in late November of 2013 and comes into this off a pair of narrow defeats at Saratoga and Belmont. In shape, has a flexible style, and gets a slight edge. He does have a bit of "hang" in him at crunch time, so make sure you reverse your exactas.
2nd pick: #9 (Blue Shark) (9-2) - Home bred has a stalking style and has been competitive in all three grass races. Gelding by "Colonel John" comes off a wide and even trip at Belmont on Sept. 17 and it's nice to see John Velazquez stay aboard. The trainer/jockey team has won at a 23% clip over the past 22 months when teamed up.
3rd pick: #3 (Talladega) (7-2) - He tries hard every time and has gone 4-0-2-1 all on the grass and has never been beaten more than 2 1/2 lengths. Stalker draws a nice post to save ground on and that a plus on this tight course.
4th pick: #4 (Lotza Heat) (6-1) - Home bred is moving up in class after finishing second in his last pair at Belmont racing for a $40K tag. Gelding fits on figures has fine early speed, and J.J. Castellano is back aboard for the fourth straight time.