Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (SEISMIC JOLT) (2-1) - Colt sold for a whopping $800,000 this past April as a 2yo in training. He chased and held down the place spot in a grass sprint Oct 28 and is racing on the dirt for the first time. He gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #13 (Winning Drive) (3-1) - Bet down to 3-5 when debuting in a 5-furlong sprint Sept. 15 at Delaware Park, he finished second after getting the lead near the 1/4 pole. Son of 'Flatter' is working steadily for trainer Jay Servis ( 29% second time out) and he has Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. When teamed up they've won with 77-of-227 (34%) since the beginning of 2017. A strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (He's Smokin Hot) (9-2) - Nice debut saw him rally to finish second of 11, beaten 4 lengths going 6.5 furlongs at this level Nov. 10. Trainer Joe Orseno (15% second time out) and gives him a rider upgrade to Paco Lopez.
4th pick: #9 (Lucky Runs North) (30-1) - Longshot races with blinkers for his new trainer (Tony Sano) Colt showed some ability in his first pair and was over-matched in a stakes last out. Think he's capable of getting a minor award at a very big price.