Top pick: #1 (PROMISE ME A CAT) (2-1) - Speedy and competitive mare was a gate to wire winner on Dec. 6 facing weaker in what was her first staqrt since Aug. 29. 5-yer-old is working very fast for this assignment, draws the rail, and Dominguez replaces the injured Rajiv Maragh. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Hot Roots) (3-1) - Lightly-raced daughter of "Indian Charlie" comes from Kentucky in shape and trainer edd Kenneally has worked her twice at Belmont as she makes her initial New York appearance. Stalker can factor with her best.
3rd pick: #4 (Smokin Alice) (15-1) - Longshot moves way up in class and does so first off a claim by Mike Wilson. She's won more races than any other entered (six) and is the only one running who has been successful on this surface in the past(5-2-2-0). If she holds her fine recent form off the negative barn change, grey filly can factor at a big price.