Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #9 (CALIFORNIAGOLDRUSH) (3-1) - The lightly raced filly has been idle since winning the G2 Sands Point Stakes at this distance Sept. 15 at Belmont Park. She's two for two on this course, is training steadily, and her ability to stay close to the pace is a big plus. I give her a slight edge.
2nd pick: #6 (Paved) (5-2) - Filly had a rough trip when over-matched in the Breeder's Cup Filly and Mare Turf Stakes (G1) Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. Strong finisher has a fine record 5-2-1-2 on the local grass course and is a very serious win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Amadine) (7-2) - I had to include this English import as she was not scratched by press time. She won a stakes here on Wednesday, is in career best form, and is dangerous if she runs back on that quick turnaround.
4th pick: #2 (Colonia) (6-1) - French import has no early speed but has been competitive in all four starts since coming to No. America during the late Spring. She was only 2 lengths in back of 'Californiagoldrush' in a G2 Sept. 15 at Belmont, then won a G3 Oct. 19 at Keeneland. Stretch threat today.
5th pick: #8 (Competition of Ideas) (4-1) - Lightly raced stretch runner ships from New York where she finished a fast-closing third going a mile in an 'off the turf' stakes Nov. 22. She had won her previous pair on the grass, is in the barn of Chad Brown, and must be left in the mix.