Top pick: #8 (HOT RENDEVOUS) (5-2) - Daughter of "Macho Uno" will take the big drop into maiden claimers for the first time and this $77K 2-year-old in training purchase has shown enough in her grass starts facing tougher to win this contest.
2nd pick: #11 (Mononoke) (8-1) - Speedy filly has been entered three times in grass sprints by trainer Carlos Martin and all of those were switched to the main-track due to weather issues. 3-year-old by "Orientate" draws a nice outside post at this 7 furlong trip and is a threat at a square price.
3rd pick: #9 (Chessrate) (6-1) - She continues to race evenly and will be stretching back out in distance and moves off the inside (both positives), Veteran maiden has gone 6-0-1-2 on this course and should factor today.
4th pick: #5 (Desert Ruler) (20-1) - Longshot ships in from Monmouth for an annually high-percentage barn (Jane Cibelli) that's having an "off" year. Filly has some speed and will be cutting back in distance.
5th pick: #1 (Rufus Ruth) (5-1) - Home-bred by "Thunder Gulch" has some ability and moves back to the grass after checking-in 6th of 8, beaten 5 1/2 lengths at Saratoga on Aug. 7 racing at this level and distance on the dirt. Has the rail, is working nicely, and could grab a share.