Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (FIGHTING MAD) (9-5) - One of two entered by trainer Bob Baffert filly debuts off of solid local drills. Barn wins at a 36% rate first out and has won with four first-time-starters at this meet. She gets a very slim edge over her uncoupled barn-mate.
2nd pick: #4 (Honeyfromthesouth) (6-5) - The probable favorite is the second filly from the Baffert barn. $150K purchase is the only maiden in this six-horse field who has raced before. She broke slowly in her debut here July 28 but recovered quickly to set a fast and pressured pace before tiring late to finish a distant 2nd. Working fast since she completes a very strong hand from trainer Baffert. I could have easily made her the top choice.
3rd pick: #3 (Hurley) (10-1) - Debuting daughter of 'Macho Uno' has been in steady training since early June. Her best work is a bullet half-mile from the gate at Los Alamitos July 24 and she gets a minor award at a square price.