Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #9 (TOM'S D'ETAT) (7-2) - With the late scratch in this race of #3 'Vino Rosso', it made this runners chances improve dramatically. He was a winner here at this distance in the $100K Alydar Stakes Aug. 2 and earned his third straight triple digit figure. His outside post isn't a big issue as he has a speed/stalking style and I give him a slight edge.
2nd pick: #7 (Yoshida) (5-2) - He enters off a second-place finish here at this distance in the rich Whitney (G1) Aug. 3. Strong finisher won this race a year ago and it has been trainer Bill Mott's target for some time. A very obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Mr Buff) (10-1) - Veteran New York bred enters in very sharp form having won six of his last eight dating back to mid-November. He's won six times in his career at this distance with the rest of the field totaling that figure. He has the rail and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #2 (Bal Harbour) (8-1) - He's one of two left in this contest trained by Todd Pletcher after he scratched #3 'Vino Rosso'. He has early speed and has been competitive in seven straight starts facing mostly G3 company. I expect to be involved turning for home, but he needs to do better in the final 1/4 mile.