Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (BEST MAN) (4-1) - He's racing second back off an 11 month layoff. Stalker tired badly in his return race Aug 18 at Saratoga racing at this level. Gelding most likely needed that start and trainer Rudy Rodriguez has breezed him four times since. Trainer gives him a rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz Jr and the pair has won with 99 of 378 (26%) when teamed up over the past 21 months.
2nd pick: #2 (Zoo Yorker) (2-1) - The morning line favorite, he has the best early speed and is racing second off a Charlie Baker claim and a subsequent two-month break. Colt worked a bullet half-mile Sept. 6 at Saratoga and is an obvious strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Tree Shaker) (7-2) - Even-paced type is taking a big drop for a barn (Randi Persaud) that's having a very rough year. Three-year-old is racing at a new low and should be a stretch factor in this spot.