Unbeaten in seven starts including three Grade 1 victories, SHARED BELIEF will likely start a deserved favourite. Jerry Hollendorfer's charge was put to the test for the first time in the Awesome Again here in September when left with ground to make up in the homestretch. But he still came up trumps and already has a verdict over the likes of Footbridge, Imperative, Candy Boy and the Jamie Osborne-trained Toast Of New York. Bayern will likely set the pace as he did when winning a Grade 2 prep-race with Kentucky Derby and Preakness hero California Chrome behind. But today's higher draw suits the latter's running style better while Tonalist may also get involved having beaten Zivo and V.E. Day in the Jockey Club at Belmont in September. Lightly-raced for his age, Cigar Street could yet prove up to this level and makes most appeal of the outsiders.
Prayer For Relief (USA) 22-1 (8-6) Bump brk, rail to uppr, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Itsmyluckyday (8-8) at Saratoga(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 in Aug.
Cigar Street (USA) 12-5 (8-9) Repelled bid, cleared, won at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 1f 3yo stks in Sep beating Departing (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Imperative (USA) 10-1 (8-7) Bid 3wd,weakened, 5th of 8, 6l behind Shared Belief (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Moreno (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Clip beh 9/16,2p,flat, 4th of 12, 7l behind Tonalist (8-10) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
V. E. Day (USA) 5-1 (8-10) Bump st, steadied 1/2, 6th of 12, 9l behind Tonalist (8-10) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Shared Belief (USA) 1-5fav (8-9) 5wd 3/8,4wd into str, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep beating Fed Biz (8-7) by nk, 8 ran.
Bayern (USA) 7-2 (8-12) Clear, strong handling, won at Philadelphia Park(USA) 1m 1f 3yo Grp 2 in Sep beating Tapiture (8-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
Zivo (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Ins,stdied 1/2,willing, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Tonalist (8-10) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Toast Of New York (USA) 8-1 (8-6) Steadied past 3/16, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Shared Belief (8-6) at Del Mar(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 in Aug.
Footbridge (USA) 33-1 (8-7) Rail bid str,best rest, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Shared Belief (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Tonalist (USA) 3-1fav (8-10) Stdied 1/2,split 1/8, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep beating Zivo (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Candy Boy (USA) 11-2 (8-10) Rallied along rail, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Bayern (8-12) at Philadelphia Park(USA) 1m 1f 3yo Grp 2 in Sep.
California Chrome (USA) 9-10fav (8-12) Inside, no response, 6th of 8, 8l behind Bayern (8-12) at Philadelphia Park(USA) 1m 1f 3yo Grp 2 in Sep.
Majestic Harbor (USA) 10-1 (8-12) 3wd into str,nbo bid, 4th of 8, 4l behind Shared Belief (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Big Cazanova (ARG) 22-1 (9-0) 3w 1st,ins,gave way, 8th of 12, 20l behind Tonalist (8-10) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.