Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #10 (RIVER TIBER) (7-2) - This colt is one of two entered by Wesley Ward, and the pair race uncoupled. Heavily bet (7-10) when debuting in a Belmont turf sprint June 12, he raced very greenly after a bit of a slow beginning. $500K son of 'War Front' did rally to finish a close-up 4th, and he worked a very fast half-mile at Keeneland before shipping here. I like his chances.
2nd pick: #1 (Mad Maddy) (5-2) - The field's only filly, she moves to the grass following a pair of close up 2nd place finishes on the Churchill dirt. She has a flexible style, the shortest route home, and an experience edge. A win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (Pitaman) (6-1) - A homebred by the late'Pioneer of the Nile,' he finished a distant 3rd when debuting at Belmont in a six-furlong contest that was taken 'off the turf' and run on a very muddy track. Back on a quick turnaround and on the grass, he's in the mix.
4th pick: #3 (American Gentleman) (10-1) - Another by 'American Pharoah,' he makes his debut off a good looking series of works for the Capable Ray Handal. The colt breezed a bullet half-mile at Belmont in 00:47 flat June 24, the best of 33 at the distance that morning.