Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (A THREAD OF BLUE) (7-2) - This son of 'Hard Spun' sold for $430,000 as a 2yo in training in March of 2018. He's been sharp in his last four starts and defeated weaker here going 8.5 furlongs Dec. 22. He has a speed/stalking style, Luis Saez stays aboard, and this promising 3yo is working very fast for this attempt.
2nd pick: #10 (Current) (8-5) - The morning line and probable heavy favorite, he's been sharp in all four on the grass and won a G3 stakes Oct. 7 at Keeneland. In his follow up at Churchill in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) Nov. 2, he was unprepared for the start, but did rally from far back to improve his position. A $725K son of 'Curlin,' he has a tough post for his stretch running style, but is a win candidate with a trouble free trip.
3rd pick: #3 (Casa Creed) (4-1) - He won a $100K stakes here at this distance Jan. 5 and defeated four of today's rival that afternoon. By far his best to date, it was his first start since Oct. 28 and first ever on the grass. This colt worked a quick half-mile here Jan. 29, and John Velazquez stays aboard. Son of the fleet 'Jimmy Creed' must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #9 (Shootin the Breeze) (15-1) - A lightly raced home bred by 'Hard Spun,' he moves way up in class after a nine-length maiden win in an 'off the turf' contest at Tampa Bay Downs Jan. 4. He had finished 2nd when debuting in a grass sprint at Laurel July 13, and this colt is an interesting longshot.
5th pick: #11 (Royal Urn) (10-1) - He was only a 1/2-length in back of 'Casa Creed' here Jan. 5 in what was by far a career best effort in five starts. However, he saved ground from his inside post and moves to the far outside for this assignment.