Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (OM) (5-2) - Speedy colt has won three of four on the grass and finished second in his lone loss. He enters this in career best form off a pair of wire-to-wire wins in G2 turf stakes. He won the Del Mar Derby on this course, at this distance Sept 6. Son of 'Munnings' came back to take Santa Anita's Twilight Derby' Oct 24 again at this 1 1/8th mile trip. Working fast and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (Closing Bell) (6-1) - Lightly-raced and improving, he ships from Kentucky where he rallied strongly to miss by a 1/2 length in a $100K stakes at this trip on the grass. Stretch runner has room for upside and will be finishing fast.
3rd pick: #6 (Fundamental) (8-1) - He's one of four entered that have shipped in for this $300K stakes from the barn of Chad Brown. He finished second in a G2 stakes at Laurel Sep 19, then was two lengths in back of 'Closing Bell' last out. Grey son of 'Arch' had severe traffic issues that afternoon and should be competitive today.
4th pick: #1 (Mister Brightside) (12-1) - Irish import chased and held gamely to finish second to 'Om' Oct 24 at Santa Anita. It was his North American debut and a very good effort. The distance isn't an issue and he draws a ground saving post in this large field.
5th pick: #11 (March) (10-1) - Another of the four horse contingent from trainer Chad Brown, he's a Graded stakes winner going shorter on the dirt and raced evenly in his turf debut Oct 25. He has more speed than most and has Bejarano aboard.