Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (SOPHIA'S CHOICE) (7-2) - Stretch runner has been on the sidelines since late November when she rallied while wide to finish third of 12, beaten 1.5 lengths racing at this level and distance on the Aqueduct turf course. Three-year-old has checked in second in two of three starts on the Belmont grass and gets a slight edge if ready.
2nd pick: #9 (Naked Empress) (3-1) - Lightly-raced daughter of 'Freud' missed by less than a length racing at this level and distance April 17 at Aqueduct. By far a career best, it was her first ever on the turf and first going beyond 6.5 furlongs. A strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Sugar Reef) (4-1) - One of two first-time starters entered by trainer Chris Clement and the pair race uncoupled. This filly cost $250,000 as a yearling back in 2014 and ships from Payson Park in Florida where she had some solid works. Clement wins at a 19% rate first out and has won with 25 of 102 (24%) when teamed up with jockey Joel Rosario over the past 16-months.
4th pick: #5 (Chocolate Smoothie) (8-1) - Well backed in all three starts, filly by 'Ghostzapper' has been on the sidelines since late February. She was very sharp in her first two dirt sprints, but showed nothing going longer last out. Bred for the grass, she's a 'live' longshot play.
5th pick: #7 (Maddie's Revenge) (10-1) - The second of the Clement fillies, 4-year-old is bred for the turf and it's of note that Javier Castellano is aboard. Home bred only has three short works on view at Payson Park and is now almost 4.5 years-old without having raced. Can't be eliminated.