Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #7 (MR BUFF) (4-1) - Speed/stalker has been competitive in four straight at this level going a one turn mile at Aqueduct. He's won twice at Belmont in the past, has positive wet track experience, and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #9 (Souper Catch) (7-2) - Beautifully bred 4-year-old ships north from Gulfstream where he went 3-1-2-0 during the winter. NEW gelding has improved a ton since coming off a year's layoff Nov. 5 and on Jan. 21 he finished a pace-setting second at this level and distance in Florida. A serious player in this spot.
3rd pick: #3 (Exulting) (6-1) - Very lightly-raced Godolphin owned 5-year-old by 'Tapit' set a pressured pace and held gamely to finish 2nd at this level going a mile April 14 at Aqueduct. It was his first race since Aug. 20 and his best overall since breaking his maiden here going 7 furlongs Oct. 28 of 2016.
4th pick: #2 (Patch) (2-1) - The morning line and probable favorite, he hasn't raced since finishing an even fourth in the rich West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer Park on August 5. He had run third here last June in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and has been working steadily at the Palm Beach Downs Center in Florida before shipping north. An obvious contender, but 4-year-old offers no real value at a short price.