Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (MAGIC WAND) (9-2) - An accomplished stakes performer all over the world, she's the only filly taking on males in this rich G1 stakes. The 4yo daughter of international sire 'Galileo', she finished a close up fourth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. In her previous pair in France, she finished second, missing by a length in a $575,000 (Group 1) at Longchamp Nov. 3 and a month earlier lost by a 'head' there in a $700,000 (Group 1). Sent to Gulfstream after the Breeders' Cup, she finished second when facing males in a G1 Jan. 26 then tired in a $6,000,000 Group 1 at Meydan in the U.A.E. March 30 again against males. In the barn of Aidan O'Brien, Lasix is added aging following two starts without the blood thinner. I give her a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Hunting Horn) (10-1) - Another world traveler, he's from the same barn (Aidan O'Brien) as 'Magic Wand' and they race as separate betting interests. He finished on even terms with her last out at Meydan in a Group 1 stakes and he missed by a length here last July 7 in the $1,000,000 Belmont Park Derby (G1). Lasix was added that day and is administered again for this attempt after three starts without it. He has a ground saving post and is a threat at a big price.
3rd pick: #2 (Zulu Alpha) (4-1) - Veteran has been razor sharp in three straight and ships from Kentucky where he missed by a length in Keeneland's Elkhorn Stakes (G2) at a distance of 12 furlongs April 20. Since early August, 6yo has gone 8-5-1-1 and should factor in his first ever attempt at Belmont.
4th pick: #4 (Arklow) (8-1) - Long-winded type was unprepared for the start and dumped rider Florent Geroux to the ground right after the break in his seasonal debut facing allowance foes at Keeneland April 5. He went 8-3-2-0 last year with his best effort coming when he won a rich G3 stakes going 12 furlongs at Kentucky Downs Sept. 8. Working fast since his 2019 debut, he's capable of getting a share at a square price with his best.