Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #3 (OISEAU DE GUERRE) (5-2) - NEW gelding shifts to the West Coast after running five times on the NYRA circuit. Competitive in three of four on the grass, all game going a mile or longer. Formerly with Chad Brown, 3yo by 'War Front' has a new trainer (Mike McCarthy) for his first start since Aug. 23. Working very fast, he can win this with a clean trip.
2nd pick: #5 (Catfish Hunter) (6-1) - Cal bred moves in with 'open' company following a 2nd place finish here at this distance facing state breds Oct. 8. He's worked fast since, has more speed than most, and home bred should be involved every step.
3rd pick: #10 (Little Juanito) (6-1) - He's moving to the grass for the first time in his second back from an eight-week freshening. Grey colt rallied from close range to finish 3rd here going six furlongs on the dirt Oct. 8. Competitive in all but one of six attempts on the dirt, he has the best early speed, and is dangerous at a square price.
4th pick: #9 (Towards the Light) (8-1) - NEW gelding has been on the sidelines since an even effort on the Del Mar dirt Sept. 1. It was his first since late May, and he's been working above average since. Another trying the grass for the first time, he's bred for the surface, and may grab a share at long odds.