Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #11 (NEW PASS) (3-1) - I liked her last out, but she weakened very late to finish 3rd of 12, beaten just over a length racing here at this level and distance. Only her second start, it was her first since missing by a 'neck' when debuting in a Saratoga grass sprint Aug. 2. Home bred will be tough in this spot.
2nd pick: #9 (Starlite Mission) (4-1) - Freshened up since April 15, filly rallied to check in 2nd that afternoon going a mile at this level on the Aqueduct grass. A career best, it was her first ever on the turf, and she has a fine series of local works showing for her return.
3rd pick: #2 (Gabriella) (5-1) - Home bred by 'Lemon Drop Kid' was only 1.5 lengths behind 'New Pass' here May 10. It was her first on the grass and a huge step forward off her dirt debuting sprinting at Aqueduct Feb. 24. With John Velazquez out of town, Luis Saez is signed on.
4th pick: #6 (Ascender) (9-2) - One of two making their debuts, home bred by 'Giant's Causeway' is from the barn of Chad Brown (20% first out). Filly trained during the winter in Florida at the Palm Meadows Center and shows four works since May 6 on the Saratoga training track. The presence of Javier Castellano is noted.
5th pick: #5 (Danielles Pride) (8-1) - One of two 4yos entered, she was only a length in back of 'New Pass' May 10 in her first starts since Nov. 5. Stretch runner has lasix added and may grab a share if able to avoid any traffic issues while far behind in the early stages.