Top pick: #4 (SOARING EMPIRE) - Lightly raced, talented, and he's finally starting to show the talen he was assumed to have all along. He had a good winter at Gulfstream, winning the G2 Hal's Hope at this mile trip and also running 2nd in a pair of other G2's. Working fast before shipping north and he can beat the presumed favorite Haynesfield, as he has a big recency edge on that rival.
2nd pick: #6 (Christmas For Liam) - Lightly raced, talented, still improving, and this son of "Saint Liam" is a perfect three for three at this mile trip. Working fast and he's a dangerous runner in this spot. Colt is one of a pair from the Pletcher barn and they'll race uncoupled.
3rd pick: #5 (Haynesfield) - The probable favorite loves this surface(6-5-1-0) and is working fast for his first start since getting beat a head in the Cigar Mile (G1) last Nov at Aqueduct. He would be no surprise, though his price will be short.