Top pick: #7 (FROGMAN MEL) (3-1) - Improving gelding by "Stormy Atlantic" runs first off a Rudy Rodriguez claim (24%) and comes off a solid third-place finish at Saratoga on Aug. 11 when racing for a $65K tag. He's worked twice since and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Rumblefortheroses) (5-2) - One of two entered by trainer Todd Pletcher and the pair race uncoupled. This debuting son of "Harlan's Holiday" has been in steady training since late June and is owned by the highly successful Ken and Sarah Ramsey operation. "Johnny V" is on this one.
3rd pick: #1a (Nauset Beach) (7-2) - He ships up from Monmouth where he ran third, going a mile on the dirt in his last pair. Colt is by "Scat Daddy" and almost all of his sons and daughters seem to improve when switched to the grass.
4th pick: #3 (All Tied Up) (4-1) - The second of the Pletcher pair, grey colt raced evenly after being "bumped" at the break when debuting at Saratoga on Aug. 11. He's worked three times since, has blinkers added, and drops into a claimer today.