Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (AMERICAN FREEDOM) (6-1) - Lightly-raced and well bred, colt enters in career best form and is still improving. Speed/stalker won the G3 Iowa Derby July 1, then finished a solid second to today's rival 'Exagerrator' in the $1,000,000 Haskel Invitational (G1) at Monmouth July 31. Working fast at Del Mar before coming to Saratoga, he draws a good post and races for the first time without blinkers. He gets a slight edge in a very deep and competitive looking field.
2nd pick: #14 (Gun Runner) (10-1) - Speed/stalker draws a tough post, but has enough early gas to get a good spot heading into the first turn. He raced both rank and evenly in the Haskel last out, but may not have liked the sloppy surface. He had won three-of-four prior to that and finished a solid third in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
3rd pick: #9 (Gift Box) (15-1) - One of three entered by trainer Chad Brown and they all race as separate betting interests. Lightly-raced grey colt chased and held down the place spot when one length behind stablemate and today's rival 'Connect.' Stalker is still improving and has a shot at long odds.
4th pick: #10 (Connect) (4-1) - As mentioned above, he was a length better than 'Gift Box' here going nine furlongs in the $100K Curlin Stakes July 29. He's now won three in a row and comes off a career best figure. Must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #8 (Destin) (10-1) - From the Pletcher barn, talented colt finished a close up third here in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes July 30. It was his first since missing by a 'nose' in the Belmont Stakes (G1) June 11. He looks set to run a big race at a square price.