Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #3 (HOT BROWN) (7-2) - Gelding is one of two entered by Charlton Baker, and the pair race uncoupled. Speedy 3yo has been sharp in both starts, each at this level sprinting at Belmont. He finished 2nd debuting Sept. 29, then checked in 3rd Oct. 26. I believe he'll be tough to catch with a trouble free beginning.
2nd pick: #5 (The Joke's On You) (6-1) - The second of the Baker trained runners, he's been on the sidelines since tiring at this level and distance on the Belmont turf Sept. 8. He had been much sharper in his previous pair sprinting on the dirt and is a win candidate at a square price.
3rd pick: #7 (Quickflash) (8-1) - This grey gelding debuts off a pair of very fast works at Belmont. Latest was a bullet half-mile from the gate in :48.20 Nov. 17, best of 121 at the distance that morning.
4th pick: #9 (Big Boy Mo) (8-1) - Colt received some betting support debuting at this level in a Belmont sprint Oct. 26. He tired after chasing a quick pace while wide and has since come back with a bullet five-furlong breeze Nov. 17.
5th pick: #6 (Apex Predator) (12-1) - He moves up in class after 'winning' when facing $25K state bred claimers Oct. 14 at Belmont. Disqualified and placed 2nd, he's capable of factoring against this lightly raced group at a big price.