Top pick: #4 (BRILLIANT SON) - Very competitive edition of the "Stymie H." on tap. This speed/stalker has finished close-up in the last two stakes for older runners on this course. Working extremely well the past month, he looks on edge for a big effort. The pick.
2nd pick: #6 (True Resurgence) - Hard-hitter was outrun at Gulfstream Park in the "Hal's Hope" (G3) stakes on opening day there. Previous race was an impressive win here on Dec. 11. John Terranova trained gelding has a sharp work at Belmont since shipping back north. Win threat.
3rd pick: #2 (Researcher) - He became a "new" animal after coming back from a three-month break smack in the middle of last year. He's won three stakes in a row, at Charles Town, Mountaineer, and the latest here in the "Queens County" on Dec. 13. Training well since, he's a contender.