Top pick: #14 (AWESOME ALEX) (9-2) - He ships in from Philly Park presumably for the much higher purse ($60,000) he runs for in this spot. Grey colt comes off a career best when he missed by a "neck" there going two-turns on Oct. 14. The figure earned is the best any of these has reached and trainer Bob Reid has won in New York before.
2nd pick: #6 (Battle Red) (5-2) - The main speed, colt has finished second in three of his four starts and has been freshened up since late Sept. Working at short intervals and trainer Todd Pletcher stretches him out in distance. A strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #13 (General Bellamy) (6-1) - He tracked, bid, and leveled off to finish fourth when debuting, going 8.5-furlongs at Belmont on Oct, 3. He's worked well since and should factor with normal second out improvement.
4th pick: #12 (Manchurian) (5-1) - Son of "Curlin" exits the same Oct. 3 race as "General Bellamy." He finished in front of that rival that afternoon but just passed some tired runners in the final furlong. Can impact with a move forward.
5th pick: #10 (Thunder's Fury) (10-1) - Gelding by "Thunder Gulch" checked in a troubled fourth of eight when debuting in a 7-furlong grass contest at Belmont on Oct. 17. Trainer Tom Morley (21% second time out) switches him to the dirt and stretches him out a furlong.