Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #9 (HAMPTON'S HOLIDAY) (9-2) - One of six making their debuts, this colt by 'Harlan's Holiday' sold for $165,000 this past April as a 2-year-old in training at Ocala in Florida. Working steadily, his trainer (Rudy Rodriguez) wins at a 22% rate first time out and he has leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. Rodriguez did very well here last year with his 2-year-olds.
2nd pick: #3 (Desert Trial) (4-1) - Broman home bred has been in steady training since late April. Some his a.m. drills at Belmont are on the quick side and he breezed a sharp three furlongs locally July 24.
3rd pick: #4 (Mr Massena) (10-1) - Another making his debut, he's been at Saratoga since the training track opened here in May. $175K son of 'Flatter' enters off a pair of breezes that show much better times than his previous works.
4th pick: #6 (Song for the Soul) (3-1) - The field's only filly, she showed early speed before weakening in her debut July 8 at Belmont. Heavily bet hat day, she'll try and win this right out of the gate by sprinting to the lead.