Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (PAYNE) (7-2) - One of two entered by Chad Brown, and the pair race uncoupled. This colt was competitive in both starts last fall at Churchill owns and is racing for the first time since Nov. 25. Working steadily, he goes following a private trainer switch to Brown (27% with new arrivals), and he wins at a 29% clip off of long layoffs. Working above average at Monmouth, it's noted that Jose Ortiz is aboard here.
2nd pick: #9 (Throw the Fade) (9-2) - Colt enters off a career best here June 8. Racing off a seven-week freshening going seven furlongs, he rallied while very wide to finish 2nd of eight, beaten 1.5 lengths. He draws a fine outside post and should factor with a repeat of his latest.
3rd pick: #8 (Illudere) (5-1) - One of five making their debuts, grey son of 'Ghostzapper' has breezed here a half-dozen times since May 21 with four of those being of the bullet variety. It's significant that trainer Jimmy Jerkens has Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard as they rarely team up (two for seven, 29%, over the past 18 months).
4th pick: #7 (Aqwaam) (4-1) - Another making his first start, colt sold for $550,000 as a yearling back in Sept. of 2016. The second of the pair from Chad Brown (19% first out), he's training above average at Monmouth, and Javier Castellano is aboard.