Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #9 (X Y JET) (7-5) - This wonderful veteran sprinter has banked almost $1,600,000 and has an outstanding local record 13-6-4-1. He enters off a rare sub-par attempt when he tired after setting a brutal and pressured pace to finish 4th here in a $100K stakes Jan. 19. He was racing off a 6.5-month layoff and should be at his best facing less talented runners.
2nd pick: #6 (Timber Ghost) (4-1) - A very lightly raced son of 'Ghostzapper', he's working very fast for his first since Nov 21. Stronach home bred has been very sharp in all three starts since coming off a 5.5-month layoff Aug. 19 and believe he may develop into a top sprinter. The 4yo would be a clear choice if not for the surprise presence of 'X Y Jet'.
3rd pick: #8 (Reason to Soar) (6-1) - A New York bred, he raced evenly in the same last race as 'X Y Jet' and was only a bit more than a length in back of that rival who was tiring late. It was his first since late June and he should be much fitter for this attempt. It's noted that he's 4-for-6 at Gulfstream and 0-for-4 elsewhere.
4th pick: #4 (Noble Indy) (6-1) - NEW gelding is working fast for his first race since July 7. He won the rich Louisiana Derby (G2) at the Fair Grounds last March, but showed nothing in his next three starts that included the Kentucky Derby (G1) ad Belmont Stakes (G1). He'll be far back today and may need this sprint for conditioning purposes. A fast and/or contest pace would help his chances out.