Top pick: #3 (BIRCHWOOD ROAD) (7-2) - Grey colt is nearing his best after returning from a nine month layoff in early July. Son of "Pure Prize" missed by a neck at this level and distance at Saratoga on July 19, then finished a wide fourth there under a similar scenario on Aug. 24th. Trainer Angel Penna, Jr. has him working steadily, and removes this 3yo's blinkers after a one race experiment.
2nd pick: #5 (Downgoesfrazier) (4-1) - 4yo enters off a near miss here at this level and distance on Sept. 8th, and has been visibly improved since coming off a pair of layoffs on July 20th. Stalker fits, and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #10 (Hudson Miracle) (3-1) - No speed type comes off a solid effort at Saratoga on Aug. 24th. He had a tough outside post that day and had to race extremely wide through-out before rallying to finish third, a head better than "Birchwood." Very dangerous this afternoon.
4th pick: #12 (Mister Dooley) (6-1) - No speed type draws a tough post (12th of 12), and will need to try to avoid a wide trip in this spot. Lightly raced, in a crafty barn (Jim Bond), and this home-bred was bet heavily here last out.
5th pick: #1 (Saltine Warrior) (6-1) - Speedy and lightly raced, he's finished third in his last pair, and was beaten by "Downgoesfrazier" in both. Gelding has the inside post and could prove tough to get by if left alone in the early furlongs.