Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (TANTE ZOE) (7-2) - Lightly-raced filly has been freshened up since and even and wide effort facing tougher on the Saratoga turf Aug 22. Trainer Leah Gyarmati drops her into a claimer for the first time and has John Velazquez aboard. The pair have won with 7 of 19 (37%) when teamed up over the past 22 months.
2nd pick: #2 (Break Away) (5-1) - Filly enters off a very wide trip when beaten 8 1/2 lengths racing at Belmont at this tag and trip Oct 7. She had gone 3-0-2-1 prior to that and is a win candidate from off the pace.
3rd pick: #8 (Tybalt's Queen) (3-1) - In the Pletcher barn, filly has been on the sidelines since April 5. Daughter of 'Shakespeare' has raced evenly in her first pair facing tougher and is dropping into a claimer for the first time. Pletcher wins at a 32% rate off of long layoffs and at a 30% clip on this particular drop in class.
4th pick: #3 (Pound Sterling) (20-1) - Grey filly has early speed and breaks just off the inside. Fits with her best and veteran Tom Bush adds blinkers.
5th pick: #4 (Written in Stars) (15-1) - She finished fourth facing tougher Aug 6 at Saratoga and has had excuses in both follow up starts. $85K daughter of 'Northern Afleet' worked a bullet half-mile at Belmont Oct 18 ( the best of 50 at that distance that a.m.). Live long shot.