Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #7 (MIDNIGHT CURFEW) (7-2) - He tired after setting a pressured pace to finish 4th here at this distance Dec. 1. It was his first start since a wide and even effort when debuting Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs, a race where he was off slowly. Trainer Jeremiah Englehart is having a strong meet, and he has leading rider Junior Alvarado signed on.
2nd pick: #1 (Erlich) (4-1) - A home bred son of 'Curlin,' he's cutting back in distance after tiring late to finish 4th here going nine furlongs Dec. 20. In his previous race, he missed by a 'neck' here at this mile trip, and he enters this contest off a solid half-mile work Dec. 31.
3rd pick: #8 (Mental Model) (3-1) - He's one of three making their debuts, and he recently arrived from Florida where he had been training smartly at the Palm Meadows Center since early November. $130K purchase is in the barn of Chad Brown (19% first out), and I think this son of the speedy 'Into Mischief' looks set to factor first out.
4th pick: #3 (Kumar) (5-1) - Another son of 'Into Mischief,' this colt tired when debuting here at this distance Dec. 1. From the Pletcher barn (29% second time out), he's worked four times since, has blinkers on, and I think he'll run much better today.