Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (APPEALING BRIEFS) (3-1) - Veteran trainer Jim Toner has quietly had a solid meet 14-4-3-2 from his smallish barn. He specializes in grass runners and this colt has finished second in two of his last three. He missed by a 'head' at this level and distance in late Nov. at Aqueduct before a pair of solid efforts at Gulfstream this past winter facing 'open' company. Back in wit New York breds, he has blinkers on along with John Velazquez.
2nd pick: #8 (Red Knight) (5-2) - Gelding missed by a 'nose' when debuting on a sloppy track at this level and distance June 18. The race was switched to the main track and he's since come back with a fast work July 8. Trainer Bill Mott replaces apprentice Diaz with Jose Ortiz, a sure sign hat they like this one's chances.
3rd pick: #11 (Zonic) (6-1) - Competitive in six straight, one-run type is racing on the grass for the first time. Bred for the surface, he was 2.5 lengths in back of 'Red Knight' last out on the main track. In the mix.
4th pick: #1 (Arthur Avenue) (15-1) - He's racing for the first time since May 3. $415K purchase tired that day in his grass debut and is capable of impacting with his best at a big price.
5th pick: #5 (There He Goes) (20-1) - Huge longshot has tired in both starts that were each taken 'off the turf.' Bred for the grass, he's working fast and this $175,000 purchase probably has more talent than shown so far.