Top pick: #6 (FLAT OUT) (3-1) - He couldn't run down today's rival "Alpha" when that colt went wire-to-wire at Saratoga on Aug. 31 in the "Woodward" (G1). Veteran is back on his favorite surface and he has more local wins (5) than the rest of the field combined (2). He won this race last year and trainer Bill Mott has him in top form for this attempt.
2nd pick: #8 (Cross Traffic) (5-2) - Very unusual sort did not start until he was a 4-year-old, but has gone 5-3-2-0 since coming to the races this past January at Gulfstream. He missed by a nose here on Memorial Day in the "Met Mile" (G1), then last out at Saratoga he held gamely to win the "Whitney"(G1). Working fast for this and speed/stalker should be involved every step.
3rd pick: #7 (Palace Malice) (4-1) - He may have been "best" last out when he finished a close up fourth in the $1M "Travers"(G1) at Saratoga Aug. 24. He "stumbled" at the start and was forced into a very wide trip on a day when the inside was the place to be. 3-year-old takes on his elders, but is a threat with his best.
4th pick: #5 (Alpha) (9-2) - He returned to his best form on Aug. 31 when he held strongly to defeat "Flat Out" by a head in the "Woodward" (G1). It was his best overall during his 16 start career and is dangerous with a repeat of it.