Bet this race at Top pick: #5 (Slipstream) (12-1) - Since July, Slipstream has been stretched out twice and won both races at 6 and 7 furlongs by trainer Christopher Clement. In its last race, the Grade 3 Futurity, Slipstream settled at the back of the eight-horse field before rallying strong up the rail as he was handled patiently by jockey Joel Rosario for the win. The 2-year-old colt is set up perfectly to stretch out for this Breeders' Cup distance, and Rosario will be at the reigns again. Horses that have had two wins in the past 90 days have an excellent track record of winning this event, and that criteria fits Slipstream.
2nd pick: #10 (Portfolio Company) (6-1) - Trainer Chad Brown's Portfolio Company has two 2nd place finishes and one 1st, all at slightly longer distances than this one. The Pilgrim Stakes has seen three of its last five winners go on to capture the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with Oscar Performance (2016), Structor (2019), and Fire At Will (2020). Portfolio Company didn't win the Pilgrim, but he came oh-so-close dropping a tight one to Annapolis in a stirring stretch drive. With jockey Flavien Prat winning five of 10 races last week, Portfolio Company is primed for a strong outing.
3rd pick: #2 (Albahr) (6-1) - The son of Dubawi has been impressive winning four straight. In winning September's 1-mile Summer Stakes, Albahr rallied and won by 2 1/4 lengths after winning the Stonehenge Stakes in Toronto as the favorite. This horse has a tendency to go left, which is actually well-suited for Del Mar.