Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #10 (DREFONG) (3-1) - Lightly-raced colt won last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) going six furlongs at Santa Anita Nov. 5. In his previous start, 4-year-old won the King's Bishop Stakes (G1) here at this distance. Away from action for eight months, he made his return start July 29 at Del Mar. Unfortunately he made a left hand turn out of the six furlong chute and dumped rider Mike Smith. Working very fast at Del Mar before heading here, he can win this with his best.
2nd pick: #4 (Divining Rod) (5-1) - Dangerous 5-year-old ships up from Maryland where he was an easy winner of the minor Polynesian Stakes at Laurel at this distance Aug. 12. The time was a swift 1:22 flat and it was his first start since Nov. 26 when he missed by a 'head' at Aqueduct in the rich Cigar Mile (G1). A win candidate at a square price.
3rd pick: #6 (Mind Your Bisquits) (7-2) - As consistent as they come, he's won his last pair and they came 7,000 miles apart. Stalker won the $2,000,000 Golden Shaheen Stakes (Group 1) at Meydan in the U.A.E. March 25, then was an easy winner July 8 at Belmont Park in their Sprint Championship(G2). He's been competitive in all four previous starts at Saratoga and is a win candidate.
4th pick: #1 (Stallwalkin' Dude) (8-1) - It's hard to describe what a solid horse that's he's been over the years. Seven-year-old has won 18-of-48 starts on the dirt and has banked just under $1.5M. He makes all the big sprints and finished third here last year in this stakes. Strong finisher was no match for 'Mind Your Bisquits' July 8 at Belmont, so unless there's a complete pace collapse, a minor award is his ceiling.