Top pick: #3 (WESTPHALIA) - Irish-bred's only "poor" outing came on very "heavy" going on August 23rd at the "Curragh" in the G2 "Futurity". Record in his other five races is excellant (5-3-2-0) including a victory in his latest, which came in the G2 "Champagne Stakes" at Doncaster in England. Another son of top sire, "Danehill Dancer" is owned by Michael Tabor and trained by Aidan O'Brien. Transfer of his form makes him the "horse to beat".
2nd pick: #4 (Donativum) - Another import from overseas has improved his game considerably since coming back from a late spring layoff. He broke his maiden at Yarmouth and then "upset" a $1,775,000 field of 24 at Newmarket in the "Tattersalls Timeform Million". Trained by a good one ( John Gosden) and Luigi Dettori climbs aboard for the first time. Good price is expected.
3rd pick: #10 (Skipadate) - Son of "Skip Away" broke his maiden first time out of the gate going long on the Saratoga turf. He's been narrowly defeated in his next pair, both stakes losing by a "head" in each. In a great and often over-looked barn (Mark Casse), veteran trainer will add blinkers for this attempt, an impressive 28% move by the conditioner.
4th pick: #11 (Bittel Road) - Double stakes winner on the turf from the barn of Todd Pletcher. Undefeated in his three starts , all on the grass. Sign of quality as he has already won going short and long and also done so from on and off the pace. Narrowly defeated "Skipadate" at Saratoga in a stakes.