Top pick: #6 (NORMAN'S HERO) (7-5) - 'Norman' was re-claimed by trainer Bruce Levine on Feb 11. He lost him for $30K Dec 31, then paid up an additional $10,000 to get him back. Gelding finished a close up fourth for a $50K tag April 8th at Aqueduct and will drop down a bit while moving off the rail. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Wild Freud) (5-1) - Three-year-old just missed facing weaker a week ago at Aqueduct. It was his best overall since mid-December and I always like these quick turnarounds. Home bred has a shot at a square price.
3rd pick: #4 (Heavy Hitter) (3-1) - Debuting 4-year-old cost $180K and runs first out for a $40K claiming price. Working steadily, in a capable barn (Michelle Nevin), and gelding is by a better than average first out sire ('Stormy Atlantic').