Top pick: #5 (MASTER SPLASH) - Heavily bet in his debut this gelding by "Smokin Mel" chased the impressive Starlantic from start to finish and checked-in a solid second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. Trainer Chris Englehart, who's having a great meet, stretches him out in distance today (a 30% move), and Dominguez takes the re-ride. The top pick in a contentious finale.
2nd pick: #6 (Southbeachsandy) - Freshened-up for almost two months, this home-bred from the excellent operation of longtime owners Michael Dubb and Sanford Goldfarb was competitive in his first pair sprinting. Trainer Tony Dutrow has him working fast at Philly Park and this gelding will have blinkers added today. Dutrow has won with 6 of his last 24 when adding the "hood," and wins at a 27% rate on the stretch-out angle. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Knock Quietly) - He ran poorly last out but had been competitive in his previous pair. He should get to the rail at the start and can factor today in the same race exotic bets at a nice price.
4th pick: #4 (This Hard Land) - Colt by Saarland has finished second and third in his first pair and both have come at this level and distance. He's worked three times since his latest and can be a stretch factor again today. Three-year-old is one of two entered by trainer Rodrigo Ubillo and they'll race uncoupled.