Top pick: #4 (BIG BLUE KITTEN) (2-1) - Veteran is nearing his seventh birthday and he's improved with age. Ramsey home bred by "Kitten's Joy" has gone 21-10-4-4 on the grass and banked $1.4M along the way. Multiple G1 winner just missed last out at Woodbine in the rich "Canadian International" (G1) and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (Legendary) (5-2) - English import was an ordinary runner in his native country but has really blossomed since he came to North America and Lasix was added. He's gone 6-4-1-1 since then and has won two stakes in a row. Gelding was only 1 1/2 lengths back of "Big Blue Kitten" on Aug. 2 at Saratoga and is a win threat.
3rd pick: #1 (Red Rifle) (10-1) - The main speed, gelding by "Giant's Causeway" is one of three horses entered by trainer Todd Pletcher and they all race uncoupled. Four-year-old has gone 4-1-3-0 since early July and should be involved from start-to-finish at a square price.
4th pick: #5 (Micromanage) (8-1) - Another of the Pletcher trio, he just missed after setting the pace at Belmont Oct. 19 in the $100K "Bowl Game" stakes. It was his first ever on the grass and speed/stalker must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #3 (Dynamic Sky) (6-1) - One-run type ships from Woodbine where where he's been competitive in five straight graded stakes without winning. He was only two lengths back of "Kitten" last out and has now earned back-to-back best overall figures. The faster the pace, the better his chances.