Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (EXCELLENT ROYALE) (8-1) - Irish bred long shot showed sneaky improvement here Sept 17. Facing tougher and racing with Lasix for the first time, he attended a quick pace before weakening in the final 1/16th to finish fifth of seven, beaten four lengths. It was his best since coming to North America and trainer George Weaver has worked him three times since. Barn is adding blinkers for the first time. A 'live' price play.
2nd pick: #2 (Stardom) (2-1) - The morning line favorite, he's lightly-raced and has a speed/stalking style. Four-year-old is racing second off almost a two month break and is dropping to a new low. $170,000 gelding by 'Freud' has a pair of sharp works heading into this and has been competitive in the past facing better. Obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Downgoesfrazier) (7-2) - Another that's dropping in class, he's also shortening up in distance. Grey gelding has been racing evenly against tougher going longer. His inside post and the presence of John Velazquez (who has gotten the best out of him) are both a plus.
4th pick: #5 (El Viejo Verde) (10-1) - The main speed, he's another member of the 'drop down club.' Three-year-old has proven in the past that if left alone on the front end he's capable of a big effort. Don't just ignore him at a big price.