Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (HOME JOURNEY) (5-2) - Mare has banked $229,000 racing on the grass and is 2-1-1-0 at this abbreviated five-furlong trip. She's battled numerous injuries over the past several years and has been lightly raced in 2015. She finished 2nd in a stakes here at this trip Aug. 7th, then tired to check in 4th in a $100K 'off the grass' stakes at Santa Anita Oct. 4th. Working fast, and speed/stalker should run these down turning for home.
2nd pick: #1 (Amaranth) (10-1) - The main speed every time she runs, stakes winner on the dirt is shortening up in distance and breaks just off the rail. In shape, 4yo ships down from Golden Gate Fields off a solid half-mile work Nov. 14th. Dangerous at a price on the front end.
3rd pick: #3 (Velvet Mesquite) (5-1) - Very consistent mare has an outstanding record on the grass (10-5-1-2). A stakes winner on the turf in the past, most all of her infield appearances have come at the famous 6.5-furlong trip 'down the hill' at Santa Anita. She'll need to come from off the pace in this spot, and veteran would love a fast and/or contested pace to develop.
4th pick: #4 (My Year in a Day) (7-2) - French import had a fine record in her native land (7-3-2-1), but has raced evenly in her first pair since coming to North America. She's shortening up in distance and will need to try and not fall too far back in the early stages. 3yo is working fast and has Bejarano aboard.