Top pick: #4 (ZOFFANY) - Irish-bred 3-year-old makes his first North American appearance and comes here after keeping only the best of company in Ireland, England, and France. He's winless in four starst this season, but was beaten less than a length in the prestigious St. James Palace S.(Group 1) at Royal Ascot, and in his next start was beaten a head at Chantilly in France in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat. In the barn of Aidan O'Brien, lasix is added, and this son of Dansili has a flexible style. Gets the call in a tough race.
2nd pick: #8 (Get Stormy) - Speedy 5-year-old by "Stormy Atlantic" is 2-for-3 on this surface and comes into this relatively fresh. Last out he set the pace before tiring to run second at Saratoga in the G2 Bernard Baruch and this veteran finished a close up fourth in this race last year. Can be a strong factor if he avoids an early duel with "Sidney".
3rd pick: #5 (Gio Ponti) - He's not far from $6M in earnings and is the defending champion in the G1 contest. He's finished second in his last two starst to the English-bred "Cape Blanco" who has won three Grade 1 races since coming to this side of the pond. He's two-for-two on this course and should get a nice pace set up if all go. Stretch threat.