Top pick: #5 (BLUEGRASS FLASH) (3-1) - Home-bred has finished second in two of his three starts and has been heavily bet each time out. Grey colt rallied to finish second at this level going 6-furlongs at Belmont Oct. 23 and the horse that beat him is a very talented runner. Triner Chris Clement stretches him out to a mile (23%), adds lasix (25%), and son of "Bluegrass Cat" is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Deceived) (4-1) - Strong contender has finished second in both dirt starts, the latest coming at this trip on Oct. 25 at Belmont. He's well-bred, comes off a career best, and he'll be finishing fast.
3rd pick: #8 (Sideways Vision) (10-1) - Price play has broken from the rail in all three outings. Last out he had an extremely wide trip while checking in 4 back of "Deceived." The move off the inside is a big plus and this colt has a shot at long odds.
4th pick: #11 (Hampden Fiveone) (12-1) - Gelding ships from Kentucky where he made a pair of starts facing "open" maiden special weight competition. He has a new trainer (Dave Donk) is working nicely, draws a fine outside post, and faces fellow New York-breds for the first time.
5th pick: #1 (Woke Up Tired) (5-1) - Son of "Bernardini" cost $400,000 as a yearling and showed good early speed in his only start. Colt was 2 1/2 back of "Flash" that day and the effort was encouraging. Working fine since, he's bred to love this mile distance.