Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (MADDING CROWD) (12-1) - Longshot has been on the sidelines since Oct. 8 when home bred daughter of 'Giant's Causeway' was beaten 3 lengths after a wide trip going 8 1/2 furlongs on the Belmont turf at this level. She had also finished close up when debuting Aug. 26 at Saratoga. She's been in steady training at Payson Park since late November and I like the fact that trainer Bill Mott has John Velazquez aboard.
2nd pick: #7 (Hidden Facts) (3-1) - The morning line and probable favorite, speedy filly has finished second in all three starts since moving to the grass following her dirt debut. She missed by a length here Dec. 6 and this $180,000 daughter of 'The Factor' is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #12 (Avocado) (4-1) - She enters off a solid effort here Dec. 1. It was only her 2nd start, first on the grass, and she set a pressured pace and held gamely when challenged in mid-stretch to finish third of 12, beaten just under a length. A $250,000 purchase as a 2yo in training last April, she's in the Pletcher barn and is an obvious contender if able to avoid a wide trip from her marooned post.
4th pick: #4 (Amandrea) (6-1) - Lightly raced filly rallied to finish third here at odds of 60-1 Dec. 1. Home bred by 'Paynter' was almost 2 lengths in back of 'Hidden Facts' at the finish and can factor late with a repeat of that effort.