Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (BENEFACTOR) (4-1) - $425,000 son of 'More Than Ready' ships from Kentucky where he missed by just under a length going a mile on the Churchill Down's turf facing similar Nov. 24. It was a career best and lightly raced colt worked fast at the Palm Meadows training center Dec. 9. He gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Lemonist) (7-2) - Lightly-raced home bred by 'Lemon Drop Kid' has been freshened up since he tired late in a $75K stakes Nov. 4. Speed/stalker from the barn of Todd Pletcher has ability, is working fine, and still has room for upside.
3rd pick: #4 (Small Fortune) (12-1) - Veteran is racing first off a Ruben Garcia claim and he has him back at the same level while stretching him out in distance. Stalker just missed going 7 furlongs on the Belmont turf July 13 and he should be in this from start-to-finish at a big price.
4th pick: #9 (Royal Blessing) (2-1) - The morning line and probable favorite, he's won 11 times on the grass while the remainder of the field has 10 combined. Old timer raced evenly here Dec. 2 in a $125K stakes on 'Claiming Crown Day' and is dropping down for this attempt. An obvious contender, but no 'lock' at a short price.