Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (CRACK SHOT) (5-2) - A $110K colt by the successful 'Freud,' he set a quick/pressured pace and held gamely to finish 2nd of 11, beaten by a 1/2-length going six furlongs at this level June 6 at Belmont. Only his second start, it was his first since debuting Nov. 30 and his first on the grass. Trainer Jeremiah Englehart (28% second off of long layoffs) has worked him three times since, and he has Jose Ortiz aboard. Lots of things to like.
2nd pick: #8 (Risp) (5-1) - This colt by 'Violence' sold for $275,000 as a weanling back in Nov. of 2016. He missed by a 1/2-length debuting here at this level and distance on the dirt Aug. 30, then was sent in for a 10-month layoff. Wide and even in his return June 22, he's switching to the grass, is making back-to-back starts, and Joel Rosario is back on the re-ride. Price play.
3rd pick: #3 (Wild William) (6-1) - He has early speed, is racing second back following a six-month absence, and this 4yo finished 2nd here at this trip facing weaker in late August. Colt is dangerous with his best.
4th pick: #7 (Bears Mafia) (8-1) - This gelding is switching to the grass for only the second time in nine starts. This 3yo has some solid efforts at this level on the dirt and is capable of factoring today at a square price if that form is repeatable on the turf.