Top pick: #9 (MAGIC MIDDLETON) - Ships from Gulfstream where he was competitive in all three grass starts and was claimed out of his latest by Bruce Levine for $35K. Gelding has run well from both on and off the pace and is the horse to beat if this race stays on the grass.
2nd pick: #5 (Hardrocker) - Keeneland invader didn't seem to care for the "poly" surface and trainer Mike Trombetta will move him back to the turf. Gelding by "Rock Hard Ten" has finished second in four of his seven grass starts and three of those have come facing special weights. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #12 (Parachute Coney) - Claimed two back by Dom Galluscio for $25K, he immediately moved him to the grass and New York-bred finished a solid third facing fellow Empire State-bred special weights. Can factor on turf or dirt.
4th pick: #2 (Bundestag) - English-bred grey gelding has a strong late kick and has finished second in two straight at Aqueduct racing at this price. The faster the pace, the better his chances and it's nice to see Cornelio Velasquez take the re-ride.
5th pick: #8 (Soup A' Fleet) - Grey colt by "Alphabet Soup" ships from Gulfstream where he was competitive in 3-of-4 appearances. Claimed on April 1st by Joe Orseno for $35K he brings him back a month later with a slight drop off the purchae price. 3-year-old had a nice half-mile breeze here on the 29th.