Last year's winner, Big Drama, is much better berthed this time and should again take care of runner-up Hamazing Destiny though he has suffered a recent setback. Giant Ryan was making his debut at the highest level when a surprise winner of the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont last time beating Force Freeze by a half-length. EUROEARS, who was strongly fancied that day after landing the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar, had no chance after being badly impeded at the start. He beat Amazombie at the California track and finished runner-up to the brilliant Rocket Man in the Golden Shaheen back in March. He looks good enough for this as Jackson Bend has never run well here though he had Aikenite 3l behind when landing a Grade 1 at Saratoga in September.
Euroears (USA) 85-40 (8-12) Bothered,check start, 8th of 9, 16l behind Giant Ryan (8-12) at Belmont Park(USA) 6f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct.
Giant Ryan (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Set pace 2p, dug in, won at Belmont Park(USA) 6f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct beating Force Freeze (8-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Aikenite (USA) 2-1 (8-10) Loomed 5 wide, missed, 2nd of 7, shd behind Hoofit (8-6) at Keeneland(USA) 6f 3yo stks in Oct.
Hamazing Destiny (USA) 9-2 (8-6) Shuffled back, 6 wide, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Hoofit (8-6) at Keeneland(USA) 6f 3yo stks in Oct.
Jackson Bend (USA) 13-5 (8-9) Rail run,off heels 1/4, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Uncle Mo (8-5) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m flls hcp Grd 2 in Oct.
Force Freeze (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Bid 1/4, drifted out, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Giant Ryan (8-12) at Belmont Park(USA) 6f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct.
Amazombie (USA) 33-10 (8-7) 4w into str,drifted in, won at Santa Anita(USA) 6f 3yo stks in Oct beating Irrefutable (8-7) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Big Drama (USA) Evens0fav (8-12) Ridden out, won at Calder Race Course(USA) 6f 3yo stks in Sep beating Black Diamond Cat (8-5) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Apriority (USA) 15-1 (8-12) Bump, bobbled early, 7th of 9, 10l behind Giant Ryan (8-12) at Belmont Park(USA) 6f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct.
