Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (U R NOT SO BAD) (9-2) - He has good early speed and has positive racing experience in a field lacking much seasoning. $210K purchase tired Sep 23 at Belmont facing a tougher group and had finished third when debuting July 21 at Saratoga.
2nd pick: #8 (Bernin Thru Gold) (7-2) - Well backed at the windows when debuting June 27 at Belmont, he finishing a close up third in a strong first appearance. However, he was pulled up and 'Vanned off' that day and hasn't run since. He's training very fast for his return and is a serious looking win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Performer) (5-1) - One of seven making their debuts, he's a Phipp's home bred by 'Speightstown' out of a very good race mare. He enters off a bullet half-mile here Oct. 30 and had also breezed a bullet 5/8ths from the gate Oct. 8. Trainer 'Shug' McGaughey is a patient type but can have one ready first out.
4th pick: #2 (Itgot Grandma) (6-1) - Home bred by 'Congrats' has been in steady training at Pimlico since early August. Four of his 11 published drills are of the bullet variety and his trainer (Horacio DePaz) wins at a 29% rate first out.