Top pick: #11 (SOUTHERN SUNSHINE) (3-1) - California invader has sharp early speed, will be facing fellow New York breds, and racing on the grass for the first time. Daughter of "High Cotton" cost $340,000 and is nicely spotted to get her maiden win.
2nd pick: #5 (Verismiltude) (7-2) - Dangerous filly finished a distant second in her debut, and she had to rush up following a slow start. Daughter of the fleet "Henny Hughes" was heavily bet that day, and trainer Steve Asmussen will switch her to the grass for this attempt. Strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Gu Gu Beans) (5-1) - Much improved of late, filly has gone 3-0-2-1 on the grass since late June and finished second here at this level and distance Aug. 7. Leading rider Castellano stays aboard, and this 3yo by "Freud" must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #9 (Roman Reign) (8-1) - Very small barn (former steeplechase rider Peter Pugh) does well with it's stock and has won with two of eight debuting runners over the past 21 months. Filly has a fine series of works on her tab and is a factor if ready.
5th pick: #2 (Quit Smokin) (12-1) - Filly has some early speed, but has lost ground during the stretch run of all four starts this year. She was less than a length off of "Gu Gu Beans" last out and may last for a minor award at a big price.