Top pick: #4 (SOLDIER OF FORTUNE) - Son of the great "Galileo*" has banked just over 2.5 million in a carefully managed and very successful career (12-6-3-1)in France, England, and Ireland. Lightly raced this season, his most recent appearance saw him finish a close-up 3rd in the "Arc de l' Triomphe" at Longchamp, Europe's richest race ($5,522,000) and arguably it's most important. Winner that day is the remarkably talented "Zarkava". Well-prepared and set-up nicely by Aidan O'Brien, he is world-class on all levels and if he brings his best, he'll wind up in the winner's circle.
2nd pick: #3 (Grand Couturier) - Veteran has hit another gear at age 5, as his latest pair not only were visually impressive but they were two of his best starts ever. That pair of stakes wins, the "Sword Dancer"(G1) at Saratoga, and the "Turf Classic"(G1) at Belmont were also both at this demanding 1 1/2 mile distance. He's never raced outside of the east-coast since coming here from Europe, but his record at this trip (8-5-0-1)indicates that it should not pose a problem.
3rd pick: #9 (Conduit) - Three-year-old comes into this with an impressive resume for a lightly raced runner. Irish-bred, but English raced, he just missed at Ascot on June 20th in the prestigious "King George"(G2) and most recently won one of Europe's oldest and most important stakes, The $897,000 "Doncaster St. Leger" . Colt appears to relish longer distances and if he brings his best with him he could wind up winning this. Trainer (Sir Michael Stoute) knows a "thing or two" about winning big races.
4th pick: #11 (Eagle Mountain) - World-class son of "Rock of Gibraltar" has kept the best company his whole career in his native Europe. Obviously pointed for this as he's only had one start this year, a recent victory at Newmarket in a $100,000 (G3) over a field of 15. Trained by South African Mike de Kock, if colt can secure some early position from his outside post he could be a strong factor.