Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (ALWAYS SHOPPING) (3-1) - Freshened up since Oct. 25 she rallied to finish second that afternoon going 8.5 furlongs at Belmont Park. It was a solid move forward off her sprint debut July 29 at Saratoga and she's been training steadily for the past month. She has a fine outside post and Repole home bred gets a slim edge.
2nd pick: #7 (Romantic Pursuit) (2-1) - The morning line favorite, Godolphin runner rallied to check in third when debuting here going 6 furlongs Nov. 18. She raced a bit greenly, is bred to enjoy today's longer distance, and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is always better second time out (22%).
3rd pick: #5 (Chica Boom Chic) (5-1) - Grey filly by 'Tapit' sold for $975,000 as a yearling back in Nov. of 2016. She showed virtually nothing when debuting Oct 24 at Belmont but is in the barn of Chad Brown (28% second time out) and 29% when stretching horses out in distance.
4th pick: #6 (Stonewalker) (4-1) - $100,000 purchase rallied while wide to finish third when debuting here in a sprint on a muddy track Nov. 3. From a capable barn (Kelly Breen), he wins at a 19% clip when stretching horses in real estate.