Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #1 (MENDELSSOHN) (6-1) - Longshot is lightly raced but ships from England off his best effort to date. Son of 'Scat Daddy' sold for a whopping $3,000,000 as a yearling in Sep of 2016 at Keeneland. In the barn of Aidan O'Brien, colt finished second to the highly regarded 'U.S.Navy Flag'in the $665,000 Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) going 7 furlongs at Newmarket Oct 14. Lasix is added and he has a good shot in a wide open contest.
2nd pick: #12 (Hemp Hemp Hurray) (8-1) - His outside post isn't a geat hindrance as colt has shown good early speed in all three starts. He won his first pair sprinting on the grass, then missed by a 'neck' when going a mile in Woodbine's Summer Stakes (G2) Sep 17. Can be in this every step at a big price.
3rd pick: #6 (Masar) (9-2) - Irish bred has won 2 of 4 and has finished a close up 3rd in a pair rich stakes in his two defeats. He won a Group 3 going 7 furlongs at Sandown Park in England Sep 2, then was beaten 1.5 lengths by the filly 'Happily' in a Group 1 stakes in France Oct 1. That runner ran two races earlier on this card. Lasix is added and one of world's best jockeys (William Buick) is back aboard following a two race absence.
4th pick: #8 (Voting Control) (8-1) - Strong finisher rallied from far back to win his debut going a mile at Belmont Park Sep 10. In his follow up there in the G3 Pilgrim Stakes Sep 30 he was probably best losing by a 1/2 length after being almost eliminated at the break.
5th pick: #5 (Beckford) (8-1) - Competitive in all five starts, English import has won a Group 2 and finished second in a pair of Group 1's. Mid-pack type adds lasix and trainer Gordon Elliott has Joel Rosario aboard for this attempt.
6th pick: #7 (James Garfield) (6-1) - Bust 2yo is already making his 7th start. He's gone 6-2-1-2 so far and ships from England where this Irish bred won the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes going 6 furlongs at Newbury Sep 23. Lasix is added and big money rider Dettori stays aboard.