Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (PORTFOLIO MANAGER) (7-2) - Colt by 'Harlan's Holiday' has been competitive in both starts. $165,000 purchase rallied from close range to finish second when debuting at Saratoga going 6-furlongs Aug 22. Sent into the G1 Champagne Stakes here at this trip Oct 3, he raced evenly to finish third. Working well since, he has off-track experience and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #2 (Matt King Coal) (2-1) - The morning line favorite, he missed by a 'nose' here at this level going 8.5-furlongs Oct 3. Race was moved off the turf and he was involved every step that afternoon. He earned a very high figure and is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Neolithic) (8-1) - One of two from the Pletcher barn and both are making their debuts. Colt by 'Harlan's Holiday' sold for $460,000 as a Keeneland yearling in Sept of 2014. Working both steadily and above average, barn wins at a 23% rate first out and John Velazquez is aboard.
4th pick: #8 (Gettysburg) (10-1) - The second from the Pletcher barn, grey colt by 'Pioneer of the Nile' has worked eight times here since early Sept. He sold for $425K a year ago and looks ready for a competitive effort first out.
5th pick: #4 (Cumberland River) (12-1) - Lasix is added to Godolphin home bred who finished 18-lengths behind 'Matt King Coal' last out. He's worked twice since and may grab a share at a big price.