Top pick: #5 (WILDNITEATTHEOPERA) (3-1) - Grey gelding missed by a "head" when debuting at Saratoga on Aug. 13 racing on a "muddy" surface going 7-furlongs. Nice effort, and he's been working well since. Home bred gets a slight edge in a competitive finale.
2nd pick: #3 (Dusk to Dawn) (8-1) - Price play has taken a lot of money in his three starts, but has tired badly in each after showing high early speed. Freshened up since July 21. Broman home bred by "Malibu Moon" is working fast, and he's a win threat at a square price.
3rd pick: #10 (Readyheartandsoul) (7-2) - The probable favorite, he's finished second in both dirt sprints since coming off a 7-week freshening in mid-June. One of those came locally, and this stalker draws a nice outside post for this 6.5-furlong trip. A strong win candidate.
4th pick: #9 (Freudex) (5-1) - He rallied into a strong pace to finish second when debuting on April 18 at Aqueduct. The "figure" earned was solid, but he's been on the sidelines since. Working nicely, in a winning barn (Chris Englehart), and a stretch threat if ready.
5th pick: #1 (Man of Mystery) (12-1) - Debuting gelding by "Smoke Glacken" cost $117k back in May of 2013 and has some impressive works showing at the Fair Hill training center in western Maryland. He draws a tough inside post and will need to break running.