Top pick: #3 (MONSIEUR POWER) (9-2) - Irish bred import has gone 7-0-2-3 in his native land racing on the grass and had finished second in his last pair before coming to North America. Lasix is added, Bejarano is aboard, and he can take this if he repeats his Irish form.
2nd pick: #2 (Yes Yes Yes) (3-1) - Lightly raced and improving, he ran a career best here when finishing second at this level going 8.5-furlongs July 26. Stalker was running second off an eight-month layoff and is a strong win candidate this afternoon.
3rd pick: #10 (Wicked Finance) (6-1) - The field's most experienced has finished second in two of five grass races, and did so here at this level and distance Aug. 8. Back in shape following a five-month break, and he's a win threat in this spot.
4th pick: #7 (Wanstead Gardens) (20-1) - Bred for the grass, he was part of the large private sale of owner/breeder Eugene Melnyk's stock and raced evenly following a "slow" start when debuting on the Churchill dirt June 14. Working fine, and a low percentage barn has Mike Smith aboard. Interesting longshot.
5th pick: #11 (Card Trick) (15-1) - Another that's lightly raced, this colt by "Bernardini" originally sold for $200K and ships in from Arlington where he finished a non-threatening third in a small field June 15. He's working well locally, but draws a tough post for a no speed type.