Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #7 (DAWOOD) (5-2) - Stretch runner broke his maiden at this distance Aug. 16 at Del Mar for a $20K tag. Raised up to $40K and switched to the grass Aug. 30, he raced evenly without factoring. Freshened up for the past eight wek, he drops back down and moves back to the dirt. The top choice, but make sure to box your bets in this contest.
2nd pick: #8 (Big Barrel) (2-1) - Sprinter stretches out after a pace-setting close up 3rd place finish at this level going 7 furlongs here Oct. 14. Home bred 4yo is brought back quickly and his outside post will give apprentice Velez some early options.
3rd pick: #6 (Big Impression) (5-1) - He rallied to finish 2nd at this tag and trip Sep 7 at Los Alamitos. Doubled up in price and switched to the grass here Oct. 4, he tired badly after racing within range. Back on the dirt and down in price, he has blinkers on for this attempt.
4th pick: #3 (Irish Ballad) (12-1) - Longshot has been freshened up since breaking his maiden going 6 furlongs at Los Al for a $20K tag July 4. 4yo is working nicely and speed/stalker can impact at a big price as he tries a two turn distance in his first facing winners.