Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (HONOR UP) (7-2) - Speedy colt has been freshened up since late Sept. when he finished an even fourth after 'smashing against the gate' at the start. Working well above average since, trainer Bill Mott stretches him out to a mile and colt is bred for the trip. He gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #2 (Dark Ops) (3-1) - He's another with early speed and colt finished a distant second at this mile trip Oct. 19 at Belmont. Son of 'Bernardini' should be involved every step.
3rd pick: #5 (Audible) (5-2) - From the barn of Todd Pletcher, $500,000 colt rallied to finish third when debuting at Belmont going 6.5 furlongs Sept. 27. Trainer wins at a 31% rate second time out and at a 26% clip on the increase in distance. An obvious contender.
4th pick: #8 (Big Thicket) (6-1) - Lasix is added to colt who raced both wide and evenly when finishing 2.5 lengths in back of 'Audible' when debuting at Belmont Sept. 28. Trainer Brad Cox has good numbers second time out (19%) and on the stretch out (21%). Capable of factoring at a square price.