Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (MUBARMAJ) (5-1) - A very lightly raced son of 'Curlin', he's won two in a row after finishing third in his debut Aug. 3 at Saratoga. $375,000 purchase broke his maiden in gate-to-wire style going a mile at Belmont Sept. 12, then rallied to win a first-level allowance there Oct. 14. Working fast for Chad Brown and this promising sort gets a slight edge in his first stakes attempt.
2nd pick: #6 (Performer) (5-2) - Reported to be a runner before finishing third here debuting at 6 furlongs almost 13 months ago, son of 'Speightstown' has won all three starts since getting back into action June 29. He has a flexible style and this Phipp's owned and bred colt is another making his stakes debut. A win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Tax) (2-1) - The morning line and probable favorite, he's been freshened up since tiring while wide to finish 7th of 12, beaten just under 6 lengths in the $1M Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 24 at Saratoga. A winner at this trip there in the G2 Jim Dandy July 27, he's done well here in the past 3-1-1-1, has some fast works on view, and has the best post. An obvious contender.
4th pick: #4 (En Wye Cee) (6-1) - Yet another making his stakes debut, this colt has gone 3-2-0-1 so far and he defeated 'Mubarmaj' when both runners were debuting Aug. 3 at Saratoga. Stalker from the Pletcher barn has plenty of potential and must be left in the mix.