Top pick: #3 (FRAC DADDY) (7-2) - Grey colt tired late to check in second last out at Woodbine in a G3 stakes. It was his first defeat on a synthetic surface and now has gone 4-3-1-0 on "poly" tracks. Best utilized with a stalking strategy, he's making his West Coast debut in this spot. A fast work here six days ago suggests that he's "ready to rumble."
2nd pick: #4 (Soi Phet) (6-1) - Incredibly improved since being claimed by Lenny Powell in late May of 2013, veteran gelding has won six times since then and is a perfect three for three locally. Barn scratched him out of yesterday's "Cougar II" stakes to await this spot, and 6yo is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Summer Hit) (6-1) - The main speed, he has a superior record on "poly' surfaces (10-8-1-1), and he won a $110K stakes here in late August in his only previous local appearance. Dangerous on the front end.
4th pick: #10 (Footbridge) (10-1) - Beautifully bred and improving colt has won two of his last three and finished second last out to "Longview Drive," who won here yesterday and set a track record for 1 1/2 miles. Sped/stalker has a shot at a big price.
5th pick: #9 (Handsome Mike) (12-1) - He's kept some tough company during his career, and has been sharp without winning in three of his last four starts. Working well for this, he fits on figures, and can't be left out.