Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (BRONX BOMBER) (8-1) - Versatile gelding moves back to the dirt after finishing a troubled fifth of nine, beaten 3.5 lengths here in a 5,5 furlong grass sprint at this level July 11. He had finished second in his previous pair on the dirt and I give him a slight edge in a competitive contest.
2nd pick: #7 (Amundson) (9-2) - A lightly raced home bred by 'Curlin' he rallied to check in fourth of nine, missing by just over 2 lengths here at this level and distance July 13. Gelding was bumped hard at the break and was forced into a wide trip. It's noted that following a 6 week freshening, leading rider Jose Ortiz is aboard.
3rd pick: #8 (Six Percent) (5-1) - This colt moves back to the dirt after showing nothing here in a stakes on the grass July 24. It was his first, and probably last ever on the turf, but this 3yo was very sharp in his previous pair on the Belmont dirt. Working fast, and trainer Brad Cox, 23-5-4-4 (22%) at the meet is adding blinkers, a strong 30% winning angle from the barn.
4th pick: #9 (Samay) (5-1) - Take away his one poor effort which came going two-turns and this 4yo is 8-6-2-0 in dirt sprints. He's won four in a row at Finger Lakes and finished second here at this level a year ago in his only previous local attempt. Bred/owned/and trained by Mike Lecesse, this gelding must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #2 (Thorny Tale) (6-1) - Stakes placed gelding has early speed, breaks from the rail, and has some solid local works showing for his first since June 23. He's been in with some tough fields in his half-dozen starts and is dangerous with his best.