Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (DA BIG HOSS) (3-1) - Since being claimed by trainer Mike Maker for $50,000 a year ago, this 'long winded' son of 'Lemon Drop Kid' has won four of eight starts, all in grass stakes. Last out at Keeneland he won the G2 Elkhorn Stakes going 1 1/2 miles and he should love this rarely run two-mile distance. Stalker gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #9 (Kaigun) (4-1) - He's been very consistent over the past 17 months and was only a 1/2 length behind 'Da Big Hoss' April 23 at Keeneland. Veteran followed that up with an even effort on this course in the 'Man O' War Stakes (G1) May 14. Six-year-old never seems to tire, so the 16 furlongs he travels today is well within his range.
3rd pick: #1 (Belisarius) (10-1) - Longshot doesn't win very often (1 for 18 on the grass), but he has 11 minor awards on his resume. Since late September of 2014, he hasn't been beaten more than three lengths in a series of 11 straight grass races. Irish bred runs today as a NEW gelding and draws a ground-saving post . Can factor at a big price.
4th pick: #3 (Closing Bell) (8-1) - He's from the same barn (Bill Mott) as 'Belisarius' and is another that can 'run all day' without getting tired. He was only beaten 2.5 lengths here in the G1 Man O'War Stakes May 14 and this son of 'Tapit' was a 1/2 length better than 'Kaigun' that afternoon.
5th pick: #12 (Twilight Eclipse) (6-1) - Now a 7-year-old, he's been slipping since around this time last year. Old timer has had a long and solid career and should pass the $2,000,000 mark in career earnings some time this year. Racing evenly for some time now, he needs to turn it around at a distance that does not favor him.