Top pick: #11 (In Italian) (7-2) - In Italian comes off two straight first-place finishes under jockey Joel Rosario - and both were impressive. The horse took the one-mile First Lady Stakes here at Keeneland last month with a Beyer Speed Figure of 104. That followed a July Grade 1 win at the 1 1/8-mile Diana Stakes from Post 6 in a record-setting performance and a 100 Beyer Speed. That's five wins in seven races, along with one second and one third.
2nd pick: #3 (Nashwa ) (5-2) - Nashwa and Above the Curve got surprised the last time out, finishing 2-3 at the Prix De l'Opera behind long shot Place Du Carrousel four weeks ago. Nashwa is primed for a strong bounce-back winning three of five races this year, finishing second and third in the others. This will be its fifth straight Grade 1 race, including winning the Nassau Stakes in July. Nashwa trailed the main body of runners early on before pulling wide and powering clear.
3rd pick: #4 (Above the Curve ) (9-2) - Above the Curve has run five races this year winning three and finishing second in another, including the Grade 1 Prix Saint-Alary by one length. And four of the five races have been at 1 1/4-mile with three victories. At the Blandford Stakes in Ireland, Above The Curve was in mid-pack on the outside early before moving up to the fourth position, made a move in front, then held on by a neck as Insinuendo made a late charge. That strategy will be dangerous against In Italian. And in two Grade 1 races, Above The Curve has one win and one third-place finish.