Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #1 (HENLEY'S JOY) (4-1) - Consistent colt by 'Kitten's Joy' has the rail, a stalking style, and enters off a 1/2-length win in the 10-furlong Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) July 6. It was a career best overall, and he's had a pair of local maintenance breezes for this assignment. I give him a slight edge.
2nd pick: #2 (Social Paranoia) (5-1) - A speed/stalker from the Pletcher barn, he's been sharp in three straight 'Graded' stakes. The lLatest came when he was beaten by just under a length by 'Henley's Joy' at Belmont July 6. A son of 'Street Boss,' he has a fine post, and should be involved from gate-to-wire.
3rd pick: #3 (A Thread of Blue) (8-1) - The main speed, he's been freshened up since a disappointing 4th place finish in the rich 'Penn National Mile(G2) June 1. He had gone 6-4-1-1 prior to that dating back to early November, and is working very fast here for his return to action.
4th pick: #4 (Rockemperor) (7-2) - One of a pair entered by Chad Brown, this Irish import rallied strongly to finish 3rd, right behind both 'Henley's Joy' and 'Social Paranoia' July 6 at Belmont. It was his first in No. America, and he draws a much better post for this attempt. In the mix.
5th pick: #7 (Cape of Good Hope) (15-1) - He made a middle move while wide before leveling off in the same July 6 Belmont race as three of the selections in this contest. A son of 'Galileo,' he kept good company in both Ireland and England prior to coming to No. America and is capable of getting a share at a big price.