Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (KATHRYN THE WISE) (5-2) - A very lightly raced 6yo mare, she's been freshened up since a 'toss out' effort April 5 at Aqueduct. She was unprepared for the start and was pulled up when hopelessly beaten. She had won four of six prior to that, and she won this event two years ago by eight lengths. Training above average, I give her a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Still There) (2-1) - Very talented and lightly raced mare by 'Union Rags,' she's racing for the first time since Oct. 23 when she finished a close up 4th here in a G2 stakes facing 'open' company. She had gone 4-3-1-0 on the dirt prior to that and had checked in 2nd at Saratoga in the G1 Ballerina Aug. 25. Back in with fellow state breds today, I could have easily made her the top selection.
3rd pick: #6 (Frostie Anne) (8-1) - Veteran mare has won 25 of 34 starts on the dirt, is a multiple stakes winner, and she's four of eight here in the past. Speedy sort moves back in with state breds after three attempts facing 'open' company. The last time that happened, she won a $100K stakes at this distance Feb. 10 at Aqueduct.
4th pick: #7 (Bonita Bianca) (6-1) - Unraced since Feb. 10, she chased 'Frostie Anne,' but proved no match when finishing seven lengths behind that rival. This mare is three for four at Belmont, and her outside post will give rider Manny Franco some early options.