Top pick: #5 (CURLIN) - The "Champ" will try and surpass "Cigar" as the all-time leading money winning thoroughbred in this contest. Undefeated on dirt since winning this race last season, he's drawn a good post for his stalking style. There's speed inside of him and it could be fast/contested, which would aid his cause immensely. Takes this as long as he's trouble free.
2nd pick: #2 (Merchant Marine) - "Horse for the course" is five for six on this dirt and zero for four elsewhere. Last was better than it appears, as although fully extended, he was all business down the stretch and could have gone around again. Lightly raced and in the barn of "giant killer" H.Allen Jerkens. Good exacta play.
3rd pick: #9 (Mambo in Seattle) - Hard luck loser of the $1,000,000 "Travers" Stakes last out as he was in front just before and just after the wire, but not when the picture was taken. He's reaching his full potential at this stage, but his post may pose a problem with this race starting on the clubhouse turn. He may have to drop pretty far back. Difficult, but not impossible.