Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #3 (AZTEC WARRIOR) (7-2) - Colt finished a solid fourth when debuting here at this level going a mile Oct 24. He had a tough outside post and stayed on gamely in the final furlong. Working fast for this attempt, $225,000 son of 'Kitten's Joy' is bred to love this longer trip.
2nd pick: #4 (Gio Mio) (3-1) - The probable favorite, he rallied to miss by a 1/2 length Nov 12 at Del Mar facing fellow Cal breds going a mile. He was over-matched in a pair of stakes for state breds on the dirt prior to that. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Gotnoquit) (5-1) - Freshened up for almost two months, stretch runner finished fourth of eight, beaten just under a length going a mile on the Del Mar lawn Nov 8. Improving sort is working above average and has blinkers on.
4th pick: #8 (Diplodocus) (8-1) - Long shot has raced evenly in a pair of dirt races to begin his career. He took betting action in both and is bred to enjoy the switch to the grass. Price play.