Top pick: #7 (GIULIO CESARE) (5-1) - He enters off a career best when beaten a neck on a sloppy track here at this level and distance on March 30th. Stalker has blinkers on this afternoon and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Spango) (2-1) - Lightly-raced gelding has been sharp in both starts and last out finished a close up third a week ago facing slightly better. Owner/trainer Dave Jacobson brings him back quickly and has him making back-to-back starts for the first time. A strong win candidate and I almost made him the top selection.
3rd pick: #3 (Pegasus T) (6-1) - He exits the same March 30th race as "Cesare" and "dead-heated" with that gelding in his first race since May 11th. By far a career best and 4-year-old by "Read the Footnotes" must be left in the small win mix.
4th pick: #11 (Rontos New York) (10-1) - Debuting colt has seven local drill showing and is from a winning barn (Rudy Rodriguez). Three-year-old cost $22K and is spotted just above that purchase price, but must overcome a tough post.
5th pick: #10 (Pepi's Find) (20-1) - $80K gelding by "Lemon Drop Kid" showed nothing in a pair of grass starts when facing tougher last fall, but takes a big drop and will move to the dirt and cuts back in distance for a capable outfit (Jimmy Jerkens). May get a share at a big price.