Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #1 (CONQUEST BIG LUCK E) (5-2) - Consistent sort ships in from Canterbury Park in Minnesota. Stalker has gone 7-3-0-3 so far this year with all of those starts coming at a mile or longer. He fits at this level, has a ground saving post, and he won his lone previous attempt on a muddy surface. Gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Rich Daddy) (3-1) - Veteran gelding ships up from Monmouth Park where he rallied to finish 2nd at this level Aug. 26. He's improved noticeably since being claimed by Ed Kenneally for $12,500 in early March at Gulfstream Park. He's won nine of 24 racing on conventional dirt and is capable on 'off' surfaces. Barn brings him back in nine days for this attempt, and leading rider Jose Ortiz is aboard.
3rd pick: #5 (Turco Bravo) (7-2) - Chilean import won a pair of stakes during 2016 including the local $100K Birdstone. However, following that win he was sent in for a six-month layoff and has not been the same since returning. Barn drops him to a new low, and trainer Gary Contessa had him work a sharp five furlongs at Belmont Park Aug. 21. Dangerous if he can turn-it-around.
4th pick: #4 (Rockport Kat) (10-1) - Longshot is racing first off a Dave Cannizzo claim. Gelding has some early speed, and expect rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. to send him hard from the gate and go as far as he can on the lead.