Top pick: #8 (EINSTEIN) - Wonderful veteran has been that rarest of runners, being equally proficient on dirt, turf, and "poly". He's had a light, but productive campaign (6-2-1-2) as he nears the age of eight. Son of a Derby winner from very long ago "Spend a Buck", this hard-hitter won the "Santa Anita Hdcp" (G1) on this surface in the spring, his first race ever on a synthetic surface. Latest saw him just miss at Del Mar in the "Pacific Classic" (G1)at Del Mar and he's been training like a much younger animal heading into this. Versatile style is a plus and he's the top pick.
2nd pick: #10 (Rip Van Winkle) - Colt is described by legendary trainer Aidan O'Brien as the "best horse I've ever trained" and that statement is a powerful one as he has tightened the girth on over 30 champions in his career, many considered to be some of the best race horses ever. This sophomore colt by the brilliant "Galileo" comes into this off a pair of Group one wins in England taking the "Sussex Stakes" and the "Queen Elizabeth" two months apart. O'Brien followed a similar path last year with the talented "Henrythenavigator" who won the Queen Elizabeth only to come in second in this "Classic" to fellow English-runner "Raven's Pass". This is one of the few big races that O'Brien hasn't won as he also finished second with the very talented "Giant's Causeway" some years back. He'll be very tough to beat if he takes to this "pro ride" surface.
3rd pick: #7 (Gio Ponti) - Top turf runner is one for two on "poly" and both came on this Pro Ride surface. He won the "Sir Beaufort" (G3) here when race was switched from the turf in December of 08, then finished a close-up fifth in the "Strub" (G1) this past February after a very wide trip. Winner of four straight Grade One's on the turf earlier this year before finishing second last out on a water-logged course at Belmont in the "Turf Classic Invitational" (G1) on October 3. Contender.
4th pick: #2 (Colonel John) - Synthetics and dirt specialist has had a light three-race campaign with this "Classic" as his goal. He ran a huge race last out on this surface when he was beaten a "head" by an English invader in the "Goodwood" (G1) on October 10 and has a pair of nice local works since. Son of "Tiznow" finished 6th of 12 in this race last year after making a strong middle-move. Contender.