Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #9 (NEW COLOSSUS) (7-2) - Improving and well-bred son of 'Curlin' has blinkers added while stretching out to a mile. $400,000 purchase finished second going 7 furlongs Sept. 22 at Keeneland in his 2nd start back from a 6.5-month layoff. He gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Julius) (3-1) - This $600,000 son of 'Tapit' has sharp early speed and is working fast for his second back when following an almost four-month layoff. He was a bit 'keyed up' on the lead here Sept. 30 as his rider tried to slow him down a bit before tiring. Speed is always good on a Sloppy surface and he's a win candidate today.
3rd pick: #10 (Flying the Flag) (4-1) - Son of 'Malibu Moon' ships in from Laurel where he rallied to finish second when debuting in a 7-furlong contest Oct 5. $675,000 purchase stretches out to a mile, draws well, and trainer Graham Motion wins at a 22% rate second time out.
4th pick: #4 (Victory Lane) (8-1) - NEW gelding has no early speed and is racing off a four-month layoff. Well bred, he's working steadily and may grab a minor award with a late rally at a square price.