Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (NETWORK EFFECT) (8-5) - Lightly-raced colt enters off a second-place finish here going a mile in the Nashua Stakes (G3) Nov. 4. Only his second start, it was his first since winning his debut going 7 furlongs Aug. 11 at Saratoga. From the barn of Chad Brown, he gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #6 (Maximus Mischief) (7-5) - Philadelphia Park invader has won both starts there by daylight margins. He scored by almost 9 lengths going 5.5 furlongs when debuting Sept. 29, then won by 6 lengths at 7 furlongs Oct. 20. Working very fast for this attempt, he's a strong win candidate and would be no surprise.
3rd pick: #7 (Tax) (15-1) - Lasix is added to the gelding who is racing first off a Dan Gargan claim (a 21% winning angle). He broke his maiden going 8.5 furlongs Oct. 21 at Keeneland for a $50K tag and it makes him the only member of this field who has won going around two-turns.
4th pick: #3 (Bourbon War) (5-1) - Ignored in the betting (17-1) when debuting here at a mile in an 'off the turf' contest Nov. 14, he raced close up before taking command to win by just over 2 lengths. Son of 'Tapit' cost $410,000 and is bred to like this distance. At this point, I believe a minor award is his ceiling.