Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #10 (MO POWER) (5-2) - Colt rallied while wide to miss by a 'neck' when debuting here going 6.5 furlongs at this level Dec 19. Bet down 3-2 favoritism, it was a very strong effort after he had to break from the outside post in the field of 11. Trainer Todd Pletcher (26% second time out) stretches him out to a mile and this outside slot is a big plus in this one-turn contest. $325K son of 'Uncle Mo' gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #5 (Dixie Runner) (3) - He also rallied to finish second when debuting here Jan 2 going six furlongs. Colt by 'Flatter' sold for $550K as a 2-year-old in training last March. In the barn of Chad Brown (25% 2nd time out), trainer wins at a 31% clip when stretching horses out off a sprint. Looks like the main danger.
3rd pick: #6 (Manitoulin) (10-1) - Home bred by 'Awesome Again' raced evenly when debuting at this level and distance Nov 22 on Aqueduct's main track. Contest had a strong field with both the 1-2 finishers winning their next starts. Training above average, veteran Jimmy Toner adds blinkers.
4th pick: #1 (Forever Bernardini) (15-1) - Well bred colt made up some ground when debuting in the same last race as 'Dixie Runner'. He finished just under five lengths behind that rival and is in a very good second out barn of Ed Plesa (35%). May grab a share at long odds.
5th pick: #4 (Commend) (6-1) - Debuting son of 'War Font' has some impressive works showing on the deep surface at Payson Park which is the home base for trainer Bill Mott during the winter months. Home bred is in a tough spot first out, but his am drills are too sharp to just ignore.