Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (PACKED HOUSE) (4-1) - This race has been taken 'off the turf' and will be run at the distance of 1 1/8 the miles on a main track listed as Muddy. This $225,000 son of 'Giant's Causeway' has finished within range in both attempts on the turf and was beaten only 3.5 lengths at this distance July 14 at Belmont following a stumbling start. The barn (Steve Asmussen) is having a strong meet 32-10-7-4 and this 3yo gets top billing.
2nd pick: #11 (Local Counsel) (6-1) - A main-track-only entrant and trainer Mark Hennig gets his wish. This lightly raced son of 'Union Rags' has finished 4th in both starts, each at this level going a mile at Belmont Park. Colt worked fast here July 27 and should be involved from gate-to-wire.
3rd pick: #8 (Paynter's Prize) (15-1) - Gelding appears to be the type that can 'run all day' without getting tired. Very wide last out on the Belmont turf, he had a tough post (12th of 12) and did not break alertly. Dangerous at a big price.
4th pick: #7 (Okeamo) (12-1) - Longshot has been freshened up since June 13 when he tired to finish 3rd at this level while going a mile at Belmont. Only his 3rd start, it was his best to date, and he enters off a bullet half-mile breeze down-state July 17.
5th pick: #10 (Gambler's Fallacy) (5-2) - Debuting colt has been in steady training at Monmouth since mid-June for Chad Brown (18% first out). $235K purchase draws a tough post, and very few horses ever win at this nine-furlong distance racing for the first time. However, this is a rather weak field, and there are exceptions to every rule.