Top pick: #2 (DICKENS) (4-1) - Gelding breaks from the inside and enters off a sharp effort here at this level Sept. 6. He chased while wide from an outside post and held well to finish third. Race was his first in five months, and trainer Roy Lerman adds blinkers.
2nd pick: #7 (Hi Speed Chase) (2-1) - The main speed and probable favorite, he finished a pace-setting second here at this level on Sept. 6 in his first since last Dec. He was 1 1/4 lengths clear of "Dickens" that day and has worked fast since. A strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Heading to Boca) (6-1) - Gelding hasn't raced since being claimed on Jan. 30 by Michelle Nevin for $30K. Barn has had a solid year and wins at a 26% clips first off the claim, and at a 21% rate off of long layoffs. Dangerous if ready, and at a square price.
4th pick: #5 (Ireland's Eye) (12-1) - Drop down has some early speed and is racing third back from a 70-day freshening. He gets some weight off, and has been running close up facing tougher. Can factor today at a big price.