Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (MOR SPIRIT) (3-1) - Always a talented runner, this 4yo has really stepped up his performance level since coming off a 7.5 month layoff in late December. He enters off three wins in a row and was an easy 6.5 length winner of the G1 Metropolita Mile June 10 at Belmont Park. On the sidelines since then, he's working fast at Santa Anita and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #10 (Practical Joke) (5-1) - Hard hitter is one of two 3yos taking on older rivals. Colt has gone 11-5-2-2 with earnings of just under $1.7M and is a perfect 2 for 2 at this distance. One runt type has been on the sidelines since winning a G1 7 furlongs stakes Aug 26 at Saratoga. Trainer Chad Brown has pointed him to this race since then and he's a late threat if able to avoid a wide trip.
3rd pick: #3 (Sharp Azteca) (7-2) - The main speed every time he runs, he ships off an easy wire-to-wire win at this distance in the Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park Sep 23. He lost to 'Mor Spirit' June 10 at Belmont in the 'Met' Mile, but has won both starts since, is working fast, and has a recency edge. Win candidate.
4th pick: #5 (Awesome Slew) (12-1) - No speed type ships from Churchill Downs where he won the G3 Ack Ack Stakes at this trip Sep 30. He brings his best every time and is a stretch threat in a contest where the pace picture could be fast/and or contested.
5th pick: #1 (Iron Fist) (15-1) - Longshot has a very good year going 8-4-1-2 and this is his favorite distance 7-5-1-1. Stalker draws a ground saving post and has won here in the past. Fits, but needs his very best for anything more than a small slice.