The Starlet
- Kalypso- Cedillo/ Baffert
- This is one of 3 Bob Baffert entries in a 5 horse field. I think this is the 2nd best in this field when it comes to Baffert entrants. I think breaking from the rail and with an aggressive rider like Abel Cedillo, Kalypso might actually be the horse controlling the lead early on. I think this filly is sitting on a monster performance after that bullet work and with the stakes win under her belt. This is one of my top picks in here.
- Nasreddine-Pereira/ McCarthy
- Nasreddine is in over her head here to me. She had one huge start under her belt which would compete here but I think this step up is too much to ask of her. She can sit close to the speed and with some early speed lined up, she might be able to sit the trip. It will all come down to if she has enough talent to fire.
- Princess Noor- Espinoza/ Baffert
- Princess Noor came back down to reality last time out in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies race in which she never performed and finished 5th. Blinkers come off and she has been working great since returning back to SO Cal. However, I think she faced very weak fields in the Del Mar Derby and Chandelier. She still should be tough in this spot and could be the best.
- Astute- Smith/ Mandela
- Astute should be on the pace early if she can get out ahead of Kalyspo. Mike Smith knows how to get the most out of Astute and it shows in the past two races. She seems to be the best here on paper and this field isn’t much. She could blow them away and I like her on top.
- Varda- Van Dyke/ Baffert
- Varda is my least favorite of the Baffert trio. She is staying at the distance after finishing a distant second to Princess Noor in September and her beyers are nothing special. She could fire off the layoff but I don’t know if she can fit here. She seems to have talent but I am not 100% sold on Princess Noor and Princess Noor already dominated her in the Chandelier.
TOP PICKS:
#4 Astute
#1 Kalyspo
#3 Princess Noor