Top pick: #3 (DOUBLEDOWNAGAIN) (7-2) - Trainer Michelle Nevin has had a terrific year, and the former assistant to Rick Dutrow takes a page out of his playbook with this veteran. Grey gelding was a visually impressive winner here five days ago at this distance facing a bit weaker, and she brings him back off that career best on a quick turnaround. Dutrow was legendary at that tactic, and this 4yo by "Rockport Harbor" can take another.
2nd pick: #2 (Pasolini) (2-1) - Very lightly raced son of "Bernardini" hasn't seen action since winning at Belmont going 7-furlongs on June 7. He was winning his third in a row, and this $875K 2yo purchase is a strong win candidate if ready.
3rd pick: #8 (Praetereo) (9-2) - Hard hitter has had a fine career and his record on the dirt stands at 32-5-5-9 ($351K). That said, he's earned all of that going longer distance and is cutting back off an even effort going a mile on a "sloppy" track at Belmont on Oct. 11th. He has back class on many of these, and veteran is in the always dangerous barn of Dave Jacobson.
4th pick: #4 (Pass the Dice) (4-1) - Former stakes winner exits the same Oct. 11th race as "Praetereo" and was six better than him at the finish. His racing line is loaded with layoffs of varying length, and he's another that is more comfortable going longer. May grab a share in this rather puzzling group.