Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #7 (HAMMERIN AAMER) (4-1) - One of two entered by trainer Rudy Rodriguez and the pair race uncoupled. Speed/stalker ships back from Laurel where he was an easy wire-to-wire winner going 8.5 furlongs in an allowance contest Nov. 13. Steady performer draws a nice outside post and Irad Ortiz Jr. is aboard for the first time.
2nd pick: #3 (Broken Engagement) (2-1) - The second of the Rodriguez trained pair, gelding was an easy winner here at this distance Nov. 15 facing weaker. It was his best since early May when he broke his maiden at Belmont and is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Carlino) (5-2) - Very lightly-raced, he was a winner at this distance Oct. 4 at Belmont Park. Competitive in four straight, the figures earned in his last two represent the highest any of the others have reached to date. Win candidate.
4th pick: #5 (T R Crew) (10-1) - Longshot ships back from Philly Park where he missed by just under a length going 8.5 furlongs in a first level allowance Oct 31. Strong finisher won his only previous start on the main track here and did so at this distance.