Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (MYFIRSTEXWIFE) (5-1) - Price play set a quick pace before tiring when debuting at this level in a six-furlong grass sprint Sept. 19 at Belmont. In training in Kentucky after that, she breezed an above average half-mile at the Palm Meadows Center after shipping to Florida. From a capable barn (Jorge Abreu), he has Luis Saez aboard.
2nd pick: #11 (Grudge) (6-1) - New York invader showed good early speed in both attempts, finishing 2nd at Belmont going seven furlongs in an 'off the turf' contest Oct. 23. $170K purchase ran well in her grass debut there Sept. 13 and is a win candidate today.
3rd pick: #5 (Choose to Be Happy) (7-2) - The probable favorite, she's finished 2nd in two straight at this level and distance and was beaten just under a length in each. Grey filly by 'Liam's Map' is an obvious contender.
4th pick: #12 (Merseyside) (5-1) - Home bred rallied strongly to finish 3rd when debuting at this level and distance Nov. 10. She was a length behind 'Choose to Be Happy' that afternoon, and it's noted she received solid betting support (3-1). Her post is of no help, but trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. has won with 10 of 38 (26%) of his second time starters in 2018-19.
5th pick: #3 (I'm Thirsty Too) (6-1) - She raced wide before improving to check in 3rd of 11, beaten 3.5 lengths debuting at this level and distance Oct. 19. Home bred was almost three back of 'Choose to Be Happy' that day and is capable of factoring with normal second out improvement.