Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #3 (CITY OF LIGHT) (4-1) - A very lightly raced 5yo, this speed/stalker has gone 10-5-4-1 on the dirt, is a multiple G1 stakes winner, and has been successful at five different track. Last out he was a sharp winner Nov 3 in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs and he's been working fast at Santa Anita before shipping here. He has a fine post and the only question is the wet track which he's never raced on up to this point.
2nd pick: #5 (Accelerate) (2-1) - He's won six of his last seven and missed by a 'neck' to 'City of Light' in his only loss during that streak. A multiple G1 stakes winner, he's 3-for-4 at this distance, has positive wet track experience, and is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Seeking the Soul) (12-1) - Longshot always brings his best and he finished a good 2nd to 'City of Light' Nov 3 at Churchill Downs. He followed that up with a third-place finish in the G1 Clark Handicap Nov 23 and has been training fast at the Fair Grounds for this attempt. Price play.
4th pick: #12 (Patternrecognition) (10-1) - Speedy sort won the G1 Cigar Mile Dec 1 at Aqueduct and that ran his overall record to 11-5-5-0. He's never beaten a field like this and his outside post is a negative. However, it is Chad Brown training and you can have the 2018 Eclipse Award winner at a big price if you like this one.
5th pick: #1 (Bravazo) (10-1) - He tries hard every time out and has banked just over $1.3M along the way. He has a ground saving post, has been working fast at Oaklawn Park, and this colt is a threat at a square price.