Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (MISSION LEADER) (3-1) - Grey colt is dropping in class and is shortening up in distance. He has early speed and enters of a very wide trip going a one-turn mile facing tougher Dec. 4. Working well above average, and I like his chances.
2nd pick: #9 (Mandlebaum) (5-1) - Price play raced very wide when debuting here on a muddy surface facing tougher Dec. 18. He was beaten 12-lengths, but the winner galloped home by almost nine. Blinkers go on, and a capable barn (Charlie Baker) drops him in class.
3rd pick: #10 (Quai Voltaire) (4-1) - Fast from the gate, he finished a pace-setting 2nd at this distance Nov. 19. In his follow up start Dec. 10, colt tired while wide against a pretty solid group. Another taking a drop, he should be involved from gate-to-wire.