Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (FALLSTAR) (5-1) - One of two entered by trainer Chad Brown and the pair race uncoupled. Lightly-raced 4-year-old has been on the sidelines since Oct. 14 when he finished a wide fourth here at this level going a mile on the grass. Competitive in one of two on the dirt prior to that, he's working fast on the Saratoga training track. Brown wins at a 30% rate off of long layoffs and he has Javier Castellano aboard for this come-backer.
2nd pick: #6 (Illudere) (6-1) - Grey colt is one of three making their debuts. $180,000 son of 'Ghostzapper' has some impressive works on his a.m tab and looks set to be competitive first out.
3rd pick: #5 (Orbed) (5-1) - From the same barn (Jimmy Jerkens) as 'Illudere', colt has early speed and enters off a second place finish here at this level and distance April 29. Improving son of Kentucky Derby winner 'Orb' cost $525,000 and is in the win mix this afternoon.
4th pick: #10 (Throw the Fade) (10-1) - Freshened up since April 22, speedster had some traffic issues that afternoon sprinting on the Aqueduct turf. He had finished second in three straight on the dirt prior to that and it's noted that John Velazquez is aboard for the first time.