Top pick: #2 (NAKAMOTO) (4-1) - He's improved noticeably since a "troubled" debut and has finished third in both starts since then, one each on turf and "poly." Colt has early speed, breaks just off the rail, and I like his chances.
2nd pick: #7 (Papacoolpapacool) (2-1) - The probable favorite, speedy gelding just missed last out in a $100K grass stakes at Del Mar and stalker is moving back in with fellow maidens. Working nicely and an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Borealis Breeze) (8-1) - Longshot raced evenly when debuting in a Del Mar sprint for a $62.5K tag on Aug. 20. He's by a superior grass sire "Scat Daddy" and trainer Tom Proctor (24% second time out) will add blinkers (20%)and stretch him out in distance in the move to the turf.
4th pick: #5 (Paythebank) (20-1) - Huge longshot hasn't shown much in either start on the Del Mar "poly" but is by a top grass stallion "Lemon Drop Kid." Gelding should enjoy the surface switch and may grab a share at a big price.
5th pick: #10 (Visitation) (12-1) - He tired last out in the same July 30th contest as both "Nakamoto" and "Papacoolpapacool" after being involved in a pace duel while racing between horses. Another who may grab a share at long odds.