Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #3 (BLOCKADE) (5-2) - On the sidelines since late October, son of 'War Front' finished 2nd that day at Belmont to the very talented 'Analyze It.' Competitive in all three starts, home bred is working fast at Payson Park, is bred for this longer distance, and he races with Lasix for the first time. Can win this if ready.
2nd pick: #10 (Unleveraged) (2-1) - From the barn of Chad Brown, $200,000 colt by 'Scat Daddy' rallied to finish 2nd when debuting on the Aqueduct grass going 8.5 furlongs Nov. 18. Working above average at the Palm Meadows Center, Brown wins at a 27% rate second time out, and is adding blinkers (25%). An obvious contender.
3rd pick: #4 (Empirically) (6-1) - He's been competitive in both starts at the meet, and that gives him a recency edge on both 'Blockade' and 'Unleveraged.' Home bred should handle the longer trip and can grab a share at a square price.
4th pick: #6 (Piantagrane) (10-1) - Another son of 'Scat Daddy,' he sold for the same $200,000 price as 'Unleveraged.' He had trouble last out, but had rallied to finish 2nd in his previous race. The type that can 'run all day,' he'll have no problem with this nine-furlong trip. A stretch threat.