Top pick: #4 (CARBONITE) - Claimed May 6th by trainer Mike Mitchell for $32K, gelding won that afternoon in his first start back off a 5 1/2 month layoff. Five-year-old by "Aldebaran" rallied to finish third on the turf course here racing for $62K Jan 18th in his first for the new barn. Mitchell brings him back quickly for this, drops him down slightly, and switches him back to the synthetic surface. He's five for seven on artificial main tracks, and is the horse to beat this afternoon.
2nd pick: #1 (Nikki'sgoldensteed) - Veteran just missed here facing $40K foes going 7 furlongs May 28th and was claimed away from Jack Carava that afternoon by trainer Bob Hess Jr. It's a bit of a negative barn change, but Hess did have this gelding earlier in his career and had some success with him. Has the rail, some early speed, and should be involved from gate to wire.